'Will Attend Even If...': CM Sukhu Says 'No Invitation' To Ayodhya Ram Temple Consecration Event So Far

Himachal CM Sukhu emphasised faith in Lord Ram while stating he hasn't received an invitation yet, whereas Vikramaditya Singh confirmed his invitation for January 22.

File Photo Of Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu

Source : Getty Images

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said on Monday that he has not yet received an invitation to attend the Ayodhya Ram temple consecration ceremony scheduled for January 22. The Congress leader emphasised the significance of Lord Ram in their faith, stating, "Lord Ram is the centre of our aastha (faith), and we would follow the path shown by him". 

"The invitation has to come from the Ram temple committee. Whether an invitation comes or not, we have faith in Lord Ram. It is not right to give it a political colour," the Himachal CM was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

#WATCH | On invitation for Ayodhya Ram temple consecration ceremony, Himachal Pradesh CM and Congress leader Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu says, "The invitation has to come from the Ram temple committee. Whether an invitation comes or not, we have faith in Lord Ram. It is not right to… pic.twitter.com/M2hHREtTso

— ANI (@ANI) January 1, 2024

Contrastingly, Himachal Pradesh minister and fellow Congress member Vikramaditya Singh accepted that he has been invited and also confirmed his attendance, though the exact date of his visit remains uncertain. Singh said, "We have received an invitation from the Temple trust & VHP. This is not a political matter but a religious matter for us." Highlighting his family's historical stance, he added, "My father was in favour of the Ram temple movement. Himachal Pradesh has always been associated with 'Dev-Sanskriti'," ANI quoted him as saying. 

"Virbhadra Singh Ji had worked a lot for the temples and deities. Himachal Pradesh was the first state in the country to pass a law against religious conversion. It was due to his thoughts and ideas," Vikramaditya Singh said.

#WATCH | On invitation to Ram temple inauguration, Himachal Pradesh minister & Congress leader Vikramaditya Singh says, "We have received an invitation from the Temple trust & VHP. This is not a political matter but a religious matter for us. My father was in favour of the Ram… pic.twitter.com/Cd5RRRJcR4

— ANI (@ANI) January 1, 2024

In response to the upcoming ceremony, BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul defended the current government's actions concerning the Ram Temple. Paul remarked, "Today when our government is doing something, they are calling it a political agenda... It's a matter of faith". Meanwhile, BJP MP Gautam Gambir expressed pride, saying, "It is a proud moment for all the people of the country... Lord Ram is the God of everyone".

#WATCH | West Bengal: On Ram Janmabhoomi's consecration ceremony, BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul says, "...So many governments came to power but no one did anything for the Ram Temple...Today when our government is doing something they are calling it a political agenda... Everything is… pic.twitter.com/S0kN7JILJV

— ANI (@ANI) January 1, 2024

#WATCH | Delhi: On Pran Pratishtha of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, BJP MP Gautam Gambir says, It is a proud moment for all the people of country. Everybody should celebrate this occasion and all countrymen should go and visit the Ram Temple once because Lord Ram is the God of… pic.twitter.com/3BZN5lQQBi

— ANI (@ANI) January 1, 2024

Invitations to the consecration ceremony have also been extended to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and former president Sonia Gandhi, among others. However, the party has yet to decide on their attendance. Sources indicate that former prime ministers Manmohan Singh and H D Deve Gowda have also received invitations delivered by representatives associated with the Trust.

While more invitations are expected to be dispatched to opposition leaders, it's understood that BJP stalwarts LK Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi may not attend the forthcoming event. The Trust has broadened its guest list, inviting esteemed figures from various domains, including sports personalities Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli, business magnates Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani, and renowned actors Arun Govil and Dipika Chikhlia, famed for their roles as Ram and Sita in the epic TV series Ramayan. Additionally, the Trust has extended invitations to approximately 3,000 VVIPs, encompassing figures like RSS Head Mohan Bhagwat, Baba Ramdev, and Ratan Tata.