New Delhi, The Indian National Congress has announced its decision not to attend the upcoming Ram Temple inauguration in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, scheduled for January 22. The party has described the event as a BJP-RSS orchestrated political function, distancing itself from the ceremony.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the party has expressed its belief that religion should remain a personal matter, criticizing the BJP and RSS for politicizing the Ayodhya temple issue. “Religion is a personal matter but the RSS and the BJP have made Ayodhya temple a political project,” the Congress stated. The party pointed out that the inauguration of the incomplete temple was seemingly timed to coincide with electoral gains, given the proximity of the Lok Sabha elections.

Senior leaders of the Congress, including Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, have reportedly declined the invitation to the event, which they perceive as predominantly an RSS/BJP affair. This decision reflects the party’s stance on maintaining a clear distinction between religious and political activities.

The Congress’s decision mirrors a broader dilemma faced by opposition parties in India. Many are apprehensive about attending the event, fearing accusations of being anti-Sanatan if they abstain, and playing into the BJP’s narrative if they participate.

Other parties, such as the CPI-M, have similarly chosen not to attend the ceremony, citing the politicization of what they believe should be a purely religious event. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has accused the BJP of using the temple inauguration as a political ploy ahead of the elections.

The Congress’s statement also touches upon the broader issue of societal polarization in India, hinting at the reluctance of even secular parties like themselves to openly reject invitations to such events due to the potential for hurting religious sentiments among Muslim communities.

This development highlights the complex interplay of religion, politics, and societal dynamics in India, especially in the context of significant religious events and their political implications.