Akhilesh Yadav Declines Invitation To Ram Temple Inauguration, Says 'Will Visit With Family' Later

Ram Mandir Inauguration: Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav has declined the invitation to attend the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on January 22.

File Photo of former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav

Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav on Friday announced his decision not to attend the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya as other Opposition leaders have also opted to abstain from the event. The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister conveyed his intention to visit the temple at a later date with his family. In a letter addressed to Champat Rai, the general secretary of the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra, Akhilesh Yadav expressed his gratitude for the invitation and extended congratulations on the successful completion of the ceremony.

He stated, "I will surely visit Ayodhya with my family after the Pran Pratishtha ceremony."

Earlier, on Friday, Akhilesh remarked, "Can anyone ever be invited to God's abode? We visit temples impulsively, where there is an inner calling and an urge deep down", as quoted by news agency ANI. He emphasised the Samajwadi Party's unwavering belief in the country's tradition and Sanatana.

Quoting Swami Vivekananda on the occasion of his birth anniversary, Yadav said, "Today is the birth anniversary of Vivekananda. He had said that our society teaches tolerance. Those who do not trust the Constitution can never be a Sanatani. We are people who believe in Bhimrao Ambedkar."

Responding to queries on temple visits, he added, "Jab Bhagwan bulayenge, Jab Shri Ram bulayenge hum jayenge... (When God calls, when Shri Ram calls, we will go)."

Congress Rejects Invitation To Ram Temple Inauguration, Calls It 'BJP-RSS' Event

The opposition leaders, including Kharge, Sonia, and Adhir, previously rejected the invitation to the grand Ram Temple opening on January 22, labeling it as a 'BJP-RSS' event. The I.N.D.I.A. bloc's opposition parties have accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of using the Ram Temple for electoral gains in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

Congress leader Pawan Khera raised questions about the timing of the event and its alignment with established traditions. He said, "There is a system and set of rituals around 'Pran Pratishtha'. If this event is religious, then why is it not happening under the guidance of the Shankaracharyas of the Four Peeths?"

Khera accused some BJP politicians of acting like 'Thekedars' (contractors) and questioned the saffron's choice of date, implying political considerations. He stated, "Which 'Panchang' did the BJP refer to before finalising the date? The date was chosen keeping the Lok Sabha elections in mind."

The BJP, in response, has accused the Congress of hurting religious sentiments. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to preside over the 'Pran Pratistha' and ceremonial opening of the grand Ram Temple on January 22. Vedic rituals for the 'Pran-Pratishtha' ceremony of Ram Lalla will commence on January 16, a week before the main ceremony.

The preparations for the event include a 1008 Hundi Mahayagya, during which thousands of devotees will be fed. Ayodhya is gearing up for the Amrit Mahotsav from January 14 to January 22, with several tent cities being erected to accommodate the expected influx of devotees, estimated between 10,000-15,000 people, according to the Sri Ram Janambhoomi Trust, ANI reported.

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