Ram temple inauguration by PM Modi, a 'gross misuse of religious sentiments', says Sitaram Yechury
Sitaram Yechury on Friday said the inauguration of Ram temple in Ayodhya by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the presence of other Constitutional functionaries was a «gross misuse of religious sentiments» for BJP's political gain. Addressing the media, Yechury said that the Constitution clearly defines secularism as the separation of religion from politics and the state.
He said that the inauguration of the temple represents an overt politicisation of religion, which contradicts the principles of the Constitution.
«Here, this function, the inauguration is going to be done by the Prime Minister of India in the presence of the UP Chief Minister and those who hold other Constitutional positions. We feel this is a gross misuse of the religious sentiments of the people for their (BJP) political purposes. This is the open politicisation of religion which is not in consonance with the Constitution or the Supreme Court rulings,» Yechury said.
He said the strategy to counter this politicisation was to strictly adhere to secularism.
«You cannot combat this sort of religious fundamentalism of all these Hindutva offences by being a soft Hindutva or a soft saffron approach,» the senior Left leader said.
The Ram temple will be inaugurated on January 22, where PM Modi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and more than 6,000 people are expected to attend the grand «Pran Pratistha» ceremony.
