'Aaj Sirf Ek Vyakti Mandir...': Rahul Jibes At PM Modi Over Assam Shrine Visit Row, Stages Sit-In Protest
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi made a veiled jibe at PM Narendra Modi as he was denied permission to enter the Batadrava Than in Assam before the consecration ceremony of the Ram temple in Ayodhya.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's planned visit to Batadrava Than, the birthplace of Vaishnavite saint Srimanta Sankardeva, faced a hurdle on Monday as he was denied permission to enter the temple. This development comes amid a row surrounding his proposed visit during the consecration ceremony of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had earlier urged restraint, expressing concerns that the visit might have adverse implications for the state. However, the Congress party affirmed that the visit would proceed as planned.
According to news agency PTI, Rahul Gandhi said he is not being allowed by authorities to visit Sri Sri Sankar Dev Satra temple in Assam's Nagaon. The former Congress president along with other party leaders is sitting on dharna after being stopped from visiting the local temple.
आज BJP सरकार राहुल गांधी जी को मंदिर जाने से रोक रही है।
— Congress (@INCIndia) January 22, 2024
BJP सरकार को आस्था पर पहरा लगाने का हक किसने दिया?
यह अन्याय है, हम इसके खिलाफ लड़ते रहेंगे। pic.twitter.com/lzOtbUXGLH
On reaching Batadrava Than, Rahul Gandhi voiced his disappointment, saying, "We want to visit the temple (Batadrava Than). What crime have I committed that I cannot visit the temple?"
In a veiled jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he further remarked, "I am being prevented from visiting the Shankar Dev Temple today. We were invited, and now we are being told that we cannot go. I am asking for the reason why we cannot go?... Perhaps today only one person can go to the temple."
"I want to go to the temple and offer my respects. Why are you stopping me?" he asked.
#WATCH | On being allowed to enter Batadrava Than in Assam only after 3 pm, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi says "Aaj sirf ek vyakti mandir mein ja sakta hain..." pic.twitter.com/9pz1d6iiuv
— ANI (@ANI) January 22, 2024
The Wayanad Lok Sabha MP slammed authorities for stopping him and asked if PM Modi will now decide who will visit the temple. "We don't want to create any problems, simply pray at the temple," he added, as per PTI.
"Srimanta Sankardev reflected the thought of Assam, and I thought that I should pay his respects as we try to walk on his path. He is like a guru to us, and that's why I thought I should visit Batadrava Than. I was invited by them on January 11, but I wasn't allowed to visit (the shrine), citing the law and order situation. However, it is strange that Gaurav Gogoi can go there, but I am not allowed to go," the Congress leader further said.
Rahul Gandhi Given Nod To Visit After Ayodhya Ram Mandir 'Pran Pratistha' Ceremony
The Than Management Committee in Assam on Sunday stated that Rahul Gandhi would be allowed to enter Batadrava Than after the 'Pran Pratistha' ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Follow Live Updates On Ram Mandir Inauguration In Ayodhya
"Tomorrow is the Pranpratishtha of Ram Temple and many devotees will come to the Than. Apart from this, many programmes have been organised outside the Than premises where thousands of devotees will gather. For that reason, Rahul Gandhi's visit programme will be after 3 pm and it has been decided in the meeting," Than Management Committee stated, as per news agency ANI.
Reacting to this, Congress General Secretary in-charge Communications, Jairam Ramesh told ANI, "...Rahul Gandhi wanted to go there (Batadrava Than)...We had been trying since 11th January, and two of our MLAs met the Management for the same. We said that we would come there at 7 am on 22nd January. We were told that we would be welcome. But yesterday, we were suddenly told that we can't come there until 3 pm....This is the pressure from the State Government...We will try to go there but going there after 3 pm is very difficult as we would have cover to an additional distance..."
#WATCH | Nagaon, Assam | Congress General Secretary in-charge Communications, Jairam Ramesh says, "...Rahul Gandhi wanted to go there (Batadrava Than)...We had been trying since 11th January, two of our MLAs met the Management for the same. We said that we would come there at 7… https://t.co/4RHpouJoUg pic.twitter.com/pJ5sctjW4H
— ANI (@ANI) January 22, 2024
According to the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra's itinerary, Rahul Gandhi was scheduled to visit Batadrava Than on Monday morning before continuing the journey through Morigaon district and entering Meghalaya. The Yatra will later return to Assam after a brief sojourn in the neighbouring state.
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma Urges Rahul Gandhi Not To Visit Batadrava Than
Addressing the media on Sunday, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed concerns about the timing of Gandhi's visit, stating, "We will request Rahul Gandhi not to visit Batadrava on Monday during the consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple as it will reflect Assam in the wrong light." Sarma suggested that the Congress leader could visit the Vaishnavite monastery after the consecration ceremony to avoid unnecessary competition, news agency PTI reported.
The Chief Minister also mentioned security measures, noting that commandos would be deployed along sensitive routes of minority-dominated areas to be taken by the Yatra on Monday.
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