Himanta Sarma Slams Congress for Turning Down an Invitation to the Ram Temple, “Like Nehru”
Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Thursday that while the Congress was given a chance to “atone for its sins,” history will see the party as “anti-Hindu” since it turned down an invitation to attend the Ram Temple launching ceremony in Ayodhya.
The Congress on Wednesday rejected to attend the major ceremony scheduled for January 22 in Ayodhya, citing religion as a personal affair and the Ram Temple as a “political project” of the BJP.
The BJP views the Congress’ rejection as a political lottery, accusing it of pandering to minority emotions.
“Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru initiated this tradition (against the Hindu community) when he refused to attend the Somnath Temple function in May 1951.” The present generation in Congress is continuing this heritage. The Ram Temple is being constructed by the Congress leadership in the same style that the Somnath Temple was by Pandit Nehru. “Congress will continue to be considered an anti-Hindu party for years and decades to come.” “I feel sorry and sad for them,” Mr. Sarma said at a press conference. “One does not have to be anti-Muslim to respect the Hindu civilisation.”
He claimed that the Congress did not deserve the invitation since it has always opposed the Hindu community and has opposed the Ram temple.
He said that by inviting its leadership to the consecration event, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad “knowingly or unknowingly” provided the Congress with a chance for the “repair of some of its sins” against the Hindu community.
“The Congress had a wonderful chance to make up for its transgressions against civilization and the Hindu community. However, it has once more missed the bus by declining the offer, Mr. Sarma stated.
Numerous opposition groups have declared their intention to abstain from the event as well, including the Left and the Trinamool Congress. Samajwadi Party has not made up its mind. The Shiv Sena UBT, led by Uddhav Thackeray, has not yet received an invitation.
The country’s “important civilisational landmark” would be the temple’s Pran Pratishtha Mahotsav (consecration), according to the Chief Minister.
“We don’t want to commemorate this momentous occasion in a way that may agitate members of other groups… We wish to celebrate it with our Muslim and Christian brothers and sisters in Assam. We don’t want to associate that day with anything bad. With a lot of positive in mind, we shall celebrate on January 22,” he stated.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s inauguration on January 22 will be witnessed by actors, businessmen, politicians, and other well-known individuals.