Ahead of the Ram Temple consecration, hundreds of Congress workers from Uttar Pradesh, including the party’s state unit chief Ajay Rai and state in-charge Avinash Pande, are set to visit Ayodhya on January 15, coinciding with Makar Sankranti.
The Congress leaders plan to take a dip in the sacred Saryu river and then visit both the Ram Temple and Hanumangarhi Temple. State unit chief Ajay Rai emphasized that the visit is not a political move but a religious one, stating, “We are going there because of our religious feelings.”
The visit is scheduled to begin at 9:15 am, following the Uttarayan (northward movement of the Sun) at 9:13 am. Congress leader Rai said, “At 9.15 am, we will depart for Ayodhya chanting ‘Jai Siya Ram’ after observing the tradition of breaking coconut.”
AICC in-charge of UP, Avinash Pande, clarified that his visit holds personal significance, stating, “On January 15, I am going there (Ayodhya) to attend a personal programme. Prabhu Shri Ram resides in our heart.” He said that no “political meaning” should be derived from his visit and stressed the Congress’s respect for people’s faith, saying, “Be it Lord Ram or Lord Krishna, the Congress has never played with the ‘aasthaa’ of the people, and will never do so.”
It’s worth noting that Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, former president Sonia Gandhi, and Lok Sabha leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury have been invited to the consecration ceremony on January 22, although their attendance remains uncertain.
Former prime ministers Manmohan Singh and HD Deve Gowda have also received invitations.
