Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge not to attend Ram Mandir inauguration

The Congrss says the event has been politicised

It also cites the temple is currently incomplete

At a time when the entire has united for the inauguration of the Ram Mandir at Ayodhya on January 22, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge have declined the invitation for the same. 

Claiming that the Ram Mandir inauguration has been politicised, Sonia Gandhi and AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge have decided not to attend it. #RamMandir #RamJanmbhoomi #RamMandirPranPratishtha @kharge pic.twitter.com/3rACsYyEzV

— NewsFirst Prime (@NewsFirstprime) January 10, 2024

The Congress has pointed outthree reasons: 

1. Politicisation of the event
2. Incomplete temple being opened
3. Opening only for electoral gains 

While the Congress has decided against attending it, the BJP has hit out saying that Congress has always been at the forefront of ensuring the temple was not built for years together. The BJP also lashed out at the INDI Alliance for keeping quiet on Uday Stalin’s criticism of Sanatana Dharma. 

Though the Congress has come with this decision after a lot of deliberation, political pundits point out that the Congress runs the risk of being labelled ‘anti-Hindu’. The Congress already faces criticism of carrying out appeasement politics. 

However, sources tell us that the Congress is ready to face the brickbats over not attending the temple consecration as it has already faced such a criticism and is ready to fight it out. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to open the temple, with 4000 devotees in attendance.