Ayodhya Bhumi Pujan: Here's How Congress, Other Opposition Parties Reacted To The Mega Event

Amid the long series of Congress leaders who came out in support of the Ram Mandir bhoomi pujan, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi expressed his displeasure saying "it is a day of the defeat of democracy and secularism and success of Hindutva."

(Images: Twitter/Getty)

New Delhi: While on one hand when Prime Minister Narendra Modi headed to Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya for the bhoomi pujan ceremony of Ram Temple on Wednesday morning, the nation had its eye stuck on the television for two reasons - the historic ground-breaking ceremony and an expected criticism from Congress and other opposition parties for having an event during COVID-19 and not focusing enough on issues such as health and economy.  Though the parties did target the government for organising the event amid the pandemic, to everybody's surprise, several opposition leaders were also came forwarding to endorse the Ram Mandir. Congress leader Anand Sharma in a statement to news agency ANI said that his party welcomed the decision of Supreme Court with an open heart and that Politics and faith must be kept apart. "Ram Temple has been the demand of people from past many years. Congress welcomed the decision of Supreme Court with an open heart. Lord Ram is loved by all and he is above any political consideration. Politics and faith must be kept apart," Sharma said.

#RamTemple has been the demand of people from past many years. Congress welcomed the decision of Supreme Court with an open heart. Lord Ram is loved by all and he is above any political consideration. Politics and faith must be kept apart: Congress leader Anand Sharma pic.twitter.com/ahbYj6rsgi

— ANI (@ANI) August 5, 2020

Former Union minister and Congress member Manish Tewari took to his official Twitter handle to extend his greetings to the nation on the occasion of Ram Temple Bhumi Poojan. Tiwari in his Twitter post put out a video, humming lines from the famous bhajan ‘Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram’ along with cation which read "Congratulations to all the Vaishnavites on the auspicious occasion of land worship of Lord Rama." Yesterday, Congress general secretary for Uttar Pradesh Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was also seen hailing the event saying that she hopes the ground-breaking ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya becomes a marker of “national unity, brotherhood and cultural harmony.” In a long statement released on Tuesday, Priyanka said "The 'bhoomi poojan' ceremony of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya has been scheduled for August 5. Hope this event becomes a celebration of national unity, brotherhood and cultural harmony in accordance with the message of Lord Ram and with his blessings." Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister kamal Nath and Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav also come farfowrd endorsing the Ram Mandir. Akhilesh Yadav said that he hopes the present and future generations will follow the paths shown by Lord Ram and will always pray for peace and harmony with a true heart. Amid the long series of Congress leaders who came out in support of the Ram Mandir bhoomi pujan, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi expressed his displeasure saying "it is a day of the defeat of democracy and secularism and success of Hindutva." News agency ANI quoted Owaisi saying, "India is a secular country. Prime Minister has violated the oath of the office by laying the foundation stone of Ram Mandir. This is the day of the defeat of democracy and secularism and success of Hindutva."

Congress is equally responsible for the demolition of Babri Mosque. These secular parties have been completely exposed: AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi #RamMandir pic.twitter.com/euIfdgzQG4

— ANI (@ANI) August 5, 2020

"Prime Minister today said he was emotional. I want to say that I am also equally emotional because I believe in coexistence and equality of citizenship. Prime Minister, I am emotional because a mosque stood there for 450 years. Congress is equally responsible for the demolition of Babri Mosque. These secular parties have been completely exposed," Owaisi added. The temple town of Ayodhya witnessed the much-anticipated bhumi pujan ceremony of Ram Temple today. The event was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with 175 people, including several high-profile dignitaries and saints from across the country.