Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday targeted PM Narendra Modi, accusing BJP of interference and claimed that authorities in Assam are preventing him from visiting the Batadrava Satra Temple, with entry being denied till after 3 pm.
“Srimanta Sankardev reflected the thought of Assam, and I thought that we should pay respect at his shrine when we come to Assam. We also walk on his path and help in uniting people and not spreading hate. He is like a guru to us, and that’s why I thought I should visit Batadrava Than. I had gotten the invitation to visit the shrine on January 11, But when we came here today, I wasn’t allowed to visit and was told that there is a law and order situation. However, it is weird that Gaurav Gogoi can go there, everyone else can go there but I am not allowed,” Rahul said while speaking to the media after he was denied entry.
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Rahul’s remarks came during the Congress’ Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in the northeast state, coinciding with the inauguration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. Rahul Gandhi, along with fellow Congress leaders, was stopped at Haiborgaon and denied further progress. The former Congress chief had planned to offer prayers to the local deity before embarking on his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra on Monday.
In response to the denial, Mahila Congress leaders staged a dharna to protest, with Gandhi joining the sit-in. Authorities later stated that Gandhi would be granted permission to visit the temple only at 3 PM.
Expressing his dissatisfaction, Gandhi questioned the police about why he was being obstructed from visiting the temple, stating, “Will PM Modi now decide who will visit a temple and when? We do not want to create any problems, simply pray at the temple,” Gandhi told the police authorities.
The Sri Sri Sankar Dev Satra temple witnessed tight security measures, a substantial police presence, and road blockades. Except for the local MP and MLA, no Congress leader was permitted to travel beyond Haibargaon, approximately 20 km from the temple site. Even the media team faced restrictions beyond Haibargaon.
Lalji Desai, Congress Seva Dal chief, criticised the situation, calling it “shameful” that the prime minister and Assam chief minister were not allowing them to pray at the temple.
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“This is atrocious. It is unfortunate that the prime minister will decide who will pray at what time in the country,” he said.
Reacting to the incident Congress General Secretary in-charge of Communications Jairam Ramesh alleged that the decision had been taken under pressure from the state government.
“Rahul Gandhi wanted to go there (Batadrava Than)… We had been trying since January 11th. Two of our MLAs met the Management for the same. We said that we would come there at 7 am on January 22nd.”
“We were told that we would be welcome. But yesterday, we were suddenly told that we can’t come there until 3 pm… This is pressure from the State Government… We will try to go there, but going there after 3 pm is very difficult as we would have to cover additional distance,” he added.
Yesterday, Chief Minister Sarma stressed the importance of avoiding unnecessary competition between the consecration ceremony of the Ram temple and the visit to the birthplace of Srimanta Sankardeva at Batadrava.
Sarma urged Gandhi to reconsider his plans, expressing concerns that conflicting events could have a detrimental impact on the image of Assam.