Introduction
The Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has vehemently refuted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's allegations that President Droupadi Murmu was not invited to the consecration ceremony of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya due to her tribal origin. The Trust has categorically labeled these claims as "absolutely false, baseless, and misleading," setting the stage for a heated political debate.
The Controversial Allegation
During a public gathering in Uttar Pradesh's Amethi on February 19th, as part of his 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra,' Rahul Gandhi made a startling accusation against the BJP-led central government. He claimed that President Droupadi Murmu, an 'Adivasi' (a member of a tribal community), was intentionally excluded from the Ram temple consecration ceremony in Ayodhya on January 22nd due to her tribal background.
Gandhi's statement implied that the ruling government deliberately omitted President Murmu from the event due to caste-based discrimination against her tribal identity. This accusation was further amplified by various social media posts echoing the sentiment.
The Trust's Response
Champat Rai, the General Secretary of the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, expressed "serious objection" to Rahul Gandhi's allegations. In a strongly-worded statement, Rai asserted that the President of India was, in fact, invited to the event held in January this year.
"Rahul ji has said that the President Droupadi Murmu was not invited to the occasion of Pran Pratishtha of Ram Lalla at Ram Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya because she is a tribal. As the General Secretary and Trustee of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra, I have serious objection to these statements of Rahul ji. These statements are absolutely false, baseless, and misleading," Rai stated.
Rai further emphasized that both President Murmu and former President Ram Nath Kovind were invited to the consecration ceremony, refuting Gandhi's claims of exclusion based on tribal identity.
Inclusive Participation
The Trust highlighted the inclusive nature of the event, stating that individuals from various communities, including Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, and the economically underprivileged, were invited and attended the ceremony. Additionally, the Trust asserted that the workers involved in the construction of the temple were also present during the Pran Pratishtha ceremony.
"People from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, and the extremely poor were invited and they came. Also, the shramiks involved in the construction of the mandir were also present in the Prana Pratishtha ceremony. Even during the Prana Pratishtha rituals, many families belonging to scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and other backward castes were given the opportunity to worship in the 'Goodh Mandap' of Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Mandir," Rai added.
President Murmu's Upcoming Visit
Notably, President Droupadi Murmu is scheduled to visit Ayodhya and have the darshan of Ram Lalla, further contradicting Rahul Gandhi's claims. According to the Rashtrapati Bhavan press release, President Murmu will also perform the Saryu pujan and aarti during her visit.
General Secretary of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra, Champat Rai | Free Press Journal
"During her stay in Ayodhya, the President will make darshan and aarti at Shri Hanuman Garhi Temple, Prabhu Shri Ram Temple, and Kuber Teela. She will also do the Saryu pujan and aarti," the release stated.
The Consecration Ceremony
The 'Pran Pratishtha' of Shri Ram Lalla at Ayodhya's historic temple was held on January 22nd, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi performing the Vedic rituals, led by a group of priests. The ceremony was attended by representatives of all major spiritual and religious sects in the country, as well as people from all walks of life, including representatives of various tribal communities.
The Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Mandir, constructed in the traditional Nagara style, features intricate sculptures depicting Hindu deities, Gods, and Goddesses on its pillars and walls. The main sanctum sanctorum on the ground floor houses the childhood form of Bhagwan Shri Ram (the idol of Shri Ramlalla).
Rahul Gandhi's Pattern of Misinformation
This is not the first instance of Rahul Gandhi disseminating false information and propaganda against the Modi government. During a lecture at Cambridge University for MBA students last year, he addressed various topics, including the Hathras case, the Pulwama attack, and the Pegasus controversy, utilizing them to promote his anti-India narrative. He criticized the Modi administration, accusing it of undermining India's democracy.
Additionally, Gandhi falsely asserted that his phone was being monitored using the Israeli spyware Pegasus and claimed to have safely traversed Kashmir, including the Pulwama area, encountering militants during his journey. He drew parallels between his Bharat Jodo Yatra and Gandhi's Dandi March, positioning himself as a successor to the legacy of Mohandas Gandhi, despite no familial relation. During a visit to Meghalaya, he criticized the central government for the state's purported lack of infrastructure, falsely alleging that developmental initiatives hadn't reached the region, thereby impeding its economic and social progress.
Conclusion
The Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust's unequivocal refutation of Rahul Gandhi's allegations regarding President Murmu's exclusion from the Ram Lalla consecration ceremony has added another layer to the ongoing political discourse. The Trust's assertion of an inclusive and diverse participation challenges Gandhi's claims of caste-based discrimination. As the controversy unfolds, it remains to be seen how Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party respond to the Trust's statements and the President's upcoming visit to Ayodhya. This incident also highlights the importance of verifying claims and counterclaims in the political arena, as misinformation can have far-reaching consequences and undermine the integrity of democratic processes.
Comments