On the day the Congress decided to skip the Ram Temple consecration ceremony on January 22, Congress leader and Himachal Pradesh Public Works Department (PWD) minister Vikramaditya Singh said that he “intends” to visit Ayodhya to fulfil his “moral duty” as the son of former Chief Minister Virbhadhra Singh.
“I remain committed to my earlier statement. I intend to visit Ayodhya not as a politician but as the son of the late Virbhadra Singh, a devout follower of Lord Ram. It’s my moral duty as his son to attend. How can I refuse this putra-dharam (son’s duty)?” Vikramaditya Singh told The Indian Express.
He also said that he has conveyed his views to senior leaders of the party, and also clarified that he opposed the RSS-VHP, BJP’s ideology of Hindu Rashtra.
“I have conveyed my views to senior party leaders. I received the invitation not for myself but out of respect for my late father. He was involved in the Ram Jannmabhoomi movement. However, I want to clarify, I oppose the RSS-VHP, BJP’s ideology of Hindu Rashtra, and their polarization policies. I am a dedicated Congress worker loyal to its ideology,” Vikramaditya Singh, son of state party chief Pratibha Singh, said.
The MLA from Shimla (Rural) was invited by RSS-VHP to the Ram Mandir consecration ceremony, that will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on January 22.
He said that the matter “isn’t political” and that this is a “rare chance to be a part of history”.
“I feel privileged to be among the select invitees from Himachal Pradesh, and thank the RSS and VHP for this honour bestowed upon my family. This is a rare chance to be a part of history, and as a Hindu devoted to the dev samaj, it’s my responsibility to witness Lord Ram’s ‘pran pratishtha’ on this occasion,” Singh said.
Meanwhile, Panchayati Raj and Rural Development minister Anirudh Singh also said that he would go to Ayodhya in February and that he “stands by the statement”.
Although this is a differing stance from the Congress high command, many senior political leaders in Himachal Pradesh, which is also called as “Devbhoomi” (land of the Gods), however, hold the view that someone’s choice to visit Ayodhya’s Ram Temple is their “personal choice”.
Senior Congress leader and Shimla’s Mayor Surinder Chauhan said, “People in Himachal Pradesh hold deep religious sentiments. As Dev Bhoomi, Lord Ram’s worship transcends political lines. If someone decides to go to Ayodhya on January 22, it’s their personal choice. The BJP’s political use of Lord Ram’s name, though, is morally questionable.”
Congress says will skip inauguration ceremony
The Congress party on Wednesday said that it will skip the inauguration ceremony on January 22.
“The inauguration of the incomplete temple by the leaders of the BJP and the RSS has been obviously brought forward for electoral gain,” a statement released by the party read.
“While abiding by the 2019 Supreme Court judgment and honouring the sentiments of millions who revere Lord Ram, Shri Mallikarjun Kharge, Smt. Sonia Gandhi and Shri Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury have respectfully declined the invitation to what is clearly an RSS/BJP event,” the party added.