Declined Ram temple consecration ceremony invitation as it is political event: Congress

Ahead of the Ram temple consecration ceremony, the Congress said it is not an “atheist party” that it would oppose a temple or religious ritual, but had declined the invite as it is a “political” event.

Ahead of the Ram temple consecration ceremony, the Congress on January 15 said it is not an "atheist party" that it would oppose a temple or religious ritual, but had declined the invite as it is a "political" event.

The Opposition party also alleged that the January 22 event is being held in a hurry because of the Lok Sabha polls.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury last week "respectfully declined" the invitation to attend the Ram temple consecration ceremony, with the party accusing the BJP-RSS of making it a "political project" for electoral gains.

Asked about it at a press conference here, party leader Kanhaiya Kumar said, "The Congress believes in sarvadharma sambhav (equal respect to all religions)."

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"The Congress is not against any religion or religious event or sentiment. It believes in sarvadharma sambhav and this has been the case from the beginning. (Mahatma) Gandhiji also repeatedly stated this," he added.

As far as the invitation to the temple consecration ceremony is concerned, Mr. Kumar said someone goes to meet God when the latter calls him.