On Ram Temple Invites, BJP Slams Left's "Religion As Political Weapon" Jibe
NDTV
The consecration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya next month - to be headlined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi - has become, as expected, a political issue ahead of a Lok Sabha election due in less than four months. Invitations to the January 22 event have been sent to religious leaders and actors, but it is those sent to opposition leaders (and their RSVPs) that are making headlines.
On Tuesday morning CPI (M) leader Brinda Karat underlining her party's decision to skip a programme that she described as the "politicisation of a religious programme". "No, we will not go. We respect the religious beliefs... but they are connecting a religious programme with politics. "Using religion as a political weapon or to advance a political agenda is not right," Ms Karat told news agency ANI.
The BJP - for which construction of the temple has been a major campaign issue, and will be again in campaigning for next year's general and state elections - hit back at Ms Karat with Union Minister Meenakshi Lekhi, saying, "... invitations were sent to all (but) only those called by Lord Ram will come".
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