As the day for the grand inauguration of Ram Temple at Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh approaches closer, politics around the event is intensifying.
On Tuesday, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) issued a statement announcing that party general secretary Sri Sitaram Yechury has received an invitation to attend the inauguration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, but will not attend the event.
The statement said: “The CPI(M) policy has been to respect religious beliefs and safeguarding the right of every individual to pursue their belief. It believes that religion is a personal choice not to be converted into an instrument for political gain. Therefore, we will not be attending the ceremony.”
It added, “It is most unfortunate that the BJP and RSS have converted a religious ceremony into a State sponsored event directly involving the Prime Minister, the UP Chief Minister and other government functionaries. A fundamental principle of governance in India as reiterated by the Supreme Court is that the State in India, under the constitution should have no religious affiliation. This is being violated by the ruling regime in the organisation of the event.”
The official handle of the party on the social media page, X, shared the statement and wrote: “Our policy is to respect religious beliefs & right of each individual to pursue their belief. Religion is a personal choice not to be converted into an instrument for political gain. Comrade Sitaram Yechury will not attend the ceremony despite receiving an invitation to do so.”
Former Congress leader Kapil Sibal has also stated that he will not attend the ceremony. The temple trust has sent invitations to Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Sonia Gandhi and they are yet to respond in the public space.
The consecration ceremony of Ram Temple will be held in Ayodhya on January 22.