Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi and party leader in Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury have received invitations for the 'Pran Pratistha' or the consecration event of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya which is slated to take place on January 22. According to sources, the invitations were sent to the leaders individually by Shri Ram Janambhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, reported news agency PTI. However, the sources added that the senior Congress leaders are unlikely to attend the consecration ceremony.
Former Prime Ministers Manmohan Singh and HD Deve Gowda had also received invitations for the ceremony. A delegation of those associated with the Trust delivered the invitation to the former Prime Ministers. As per PTI, more invitations are expected to be sent over to other opposition leaders in the coming days.
Shri Ram Janambhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust told PTI that the invitations had been extended to revered saints from different traditions along with all prominent individuals contributing to the honour of the country across all domains.
Around 4,000 saints from across sections have been invited to participate in the ceremony.
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Earlier on Tuesday, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) said that it has extended invitation to BJP veterans Lal Krishna Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi for the consecration ceremony. This development came after a backlash following the remark of Ram Temple Trust general secretary Champat Rai stating that both veterans of the saffron party were 'requested' not to come due to their old age.
The VHP in a tweet said, "Invited respected Lal Krishna Advani ji and respected Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi ji, the pioneer of Ram Mandir movement, to attend the Pran Pratishtha program of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya on 22 January 2024."