Rahul Gandhi Granted Nod To Visit Assamese Icon Sankardeva’s Birthplace After Ram Mandir Event

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will be allowed to enter Batadrava Than, the birthplace of Vaishnavite saint Srimanta Sankardeva, in Assam after Ayodhya Ram Mandir's 'Pran Pratistha' ceremony.

File Photo: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi visits the Sri Sri Auniati Satra during the 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' in Majuli, Friday, Jan. 19, 2024.

Source : PTI

Than Management Committee in Assam on Sunday stated that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will be allowed to enter Batadrava Than, the birthplace of Vaishnavite saint Srimanta Sankardeva, in Assam tomorrow after Ayodhya Ram Mandir's 'Pran Pratistha'. This comes in the midst of a brewing controversy over Gandhi's proposed visit during the consecration ceremony of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. Earlier, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma urged restraint, asserting that it may reflect adversely on the state. However, the Congress has affirmed that the visit will proceed as planned.

"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.

All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary Jairam Ramesh addressed the media on Sunday, maintaining that Rahul Gandhi's visit to Batadrawa Than in Assam's Nagaon district is on track, news agency PTI reported. Ramesh urged against politicising the visit and emphasised that it is part of the 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' led by Gandhi, spanning from Manipur to Mumbai.

"The route of the Yatra was fixed 3-4 weeks before, and as per the schedule, we will be in Nagaon on January 22," stated Ramesh during a press conference en route to the central Assam district, as quoted by PTI. "It is imperative that we visit Batadrawa Than as we are passing through Nagaon. It is the birthplace of the great social reformer Srimanta Sankardeva, whose life continues to inspire crores of people even now," he added.

Ramesh further emphasised the non-political nature of the visit, stating, "There should not have been any dispute over it. No politics should be done over it."

According to the Yatra's itinerary, Rahul Gandhi is set to visit Batadrawa Than on Monday morning, following which the journey will continue through Morigaon district before 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 On Monday 

CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, addressing the media earlier on Sunday, 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, avoiding any unnecessary competition, as per PTI.

The Assam 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.

The unfolding situation follows Jairam Ramesh's announcement on Saturday, where he had confirmed Rahul Gandhi's presence at the birthplace of the Vaishnavite saint-scholar on January 22. "On the morning of January 22, Rahul ji will be in Batadrawa Than, the birthplace of Sri Sri Sankardeva," Ramesh had declared.

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