Ashwini Kumar said- Prana Pratistha ceremony in Ayodhya should be a moment of national unity.

New Delhi: Former Union law minister Ashwini Kumar on Monday said the consecration ceremony at the Ayodhya temple should be a “moment of national unity around an overwhelming national sentiment” and “incongruous notes at this time will only widen the social and religious rift”.

He also said that the secular credentials of the parties should be strengthened so that respect for the religious sensitivities of the vast majority of people is not questioned.

“The nation rejoices at the consecration ceremony of the grand Lord Shri Ram temple in Ayodhya today. This occasion should be a moment of national unity around a tremendous national spirit. Dissonant notes at this time will only widen the social and religious rift, which ill serve the national interest. The sensitivities of the nation and the intense emotions attached to the ceremony must be respected as a necessary condition of democracy,” Kumar said in a statement.

“At sensitive moments like the present, there is a need to adopt a holistic and generous approach. The secular credentials of the parties should be placed on a strong foundation so as not to be questioned while respecting the religious and emotional sensitivities of the vast majority of the people. People. “Participating in the celebrations in Ayodhya will not dilute the core values of the republic,” he said.

The Congress had “respectfully declined” the invitation for the consecration ceremony in Ayodhya, saying it was “clearly an RSS/BJP programme”.

“Lord Ram is worshiped by millions of people in our country. Religion is a personal matter. But RSS/BJP have made a political project of the temple in Ayodhya for a long time. The incomplete temple has been inaugurated by BJP and RSS leaders.” Obviously this has been brought forward for electoral gains.

Following the 2019 Supreme Court judgment and respecting the sentiments of millions of people who revere Lord Ram, Shri Mallikarjun Kharge, Smt. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, in a statement, said Sonia Gandhi and Shri Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury have categorically and respectfully declined the invitation to the RSS/BJP event.

CPI-M had also rejected the invitation for the consecration ceremony. However, Congress leaders have visited the grand temple in Ayodhya as devotees.

Himachal Pradesh Minister Vikramaditya Singh reached Ayodhya on Monday and participated in the grand rituals of Ram temple.
Congress-ruled Himachal Pradesh has declared a holiday on Monday for state government employees.

Congress leaders and workers, including Uttar Pradesh chief Ajay Rai, had gone to Ayodhya last week to take a holy dip in the Saryu river and offer prayers at temples in the city.