RSS, BJP have turned Jan 22 event into political PM Modi function: Rahul Gandhi
Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and RSS-BJP of turning the Ayodhya Ram temple consecration ceremony on January 22 into a «complete political Narendra Modi function» and said that is why it was not possible for Congress leaders to attend it.
Gandhi also indicated — at a press conference at Chiephobozour, near Kohima, the constituency of Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio, a BJP ally — that he has no plans to visit the Ayodhya temple during his ongoing yatra, even after January 22, as he intends to «follow the fixed route of the Bharat Jodo Nyaya Yatra» throughout till March end.
In response to a question on BJP projecting his family as «anti-Hindu», he took an indirect jibe at PM Modi, saying «those who have a public relationship with religion try to make use of it» while he (Gandhi) «lives by the principles of Hindu religion without wearing it on my sleeves».
«You see, RSS and BJP have made the 22 January function into a completely political Narendra Modi function. It has become a RSS-BJP function and that is why, Congress president said that it won't be possible for him to attend that function.
They have captured and turned it into a political function and gave it an electoral flavour,» Gandhi told media persons. «We are open to all religions.
But, even the authorities of the Hindu religion, the highest authorities (a reference to the Shankaracharyas) have made their views about what they think about the January 22 function — that it is a political function.»
Gandhi also made it clear that there was no bar on members of Congress and INDIA bloc visiting the Ayodhya temple «We, Congress and INDIA allies, have made it clear whoever wants to go (to the temple) can do so. But it is difficult to go there
