• Source:JND
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Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who is currently holding a foot march, on Monday, claimed he was stopped from entering Assam's Batadrava Than, the birthplace of saint Srimanta Sankardeva. Notably, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday advised Wayanad MP to resist visiting the holy shrine as it would create unnecessary competition and portray the state in bad light.

"I want to go to the temple, what is wrong with this? Earlier we were invited but now the administration is saying that we cannot go. "Aaj sirf ek vyakti mandir mein ja sakta hain..."(Perhaps today only one person can go to the temple)," the Congress leader said in an apparent dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of the 'Pran Pratishta' ceremony at Ayodhya Ram Temple.

“I was invited there on the 11th. I think they have been pressurised. They have obviously been ordered from the top. They don't want me to go,” Rahul Gandhi said in a video message shared by the Congress on X (formerly Twitter).

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“What is the issue brother? Can I go and see the barricades? What’s my mistake that I cannot go into the temple? You gave me permission and I was invited there,” Rahul could be heard saying as he argues with the officials. 

Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Jairam Ramesh, staged a protest after Wayanad MP’s request was turned down. They sang 'Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram' amid the sit-in. 

Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra entered Assam from Arunachal Pradesh on Sunday. Addressing a press conference, Himanta Biswa Sarma advised Rahul Gandhi to visit the aforementioned site after the consecration ceremony. "We will request Rahul Gandhi not to visit Batadrava on Monday during the consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple as it will reflect Assam in the wrong light. He can visit the place after the consecration ceremony without creating unnecessary competition which will be sad for Assam,” he said.

Rahul’s convoy on Sunday encountered a group of BJP workers, who chanted "Jai Shri Ram" and raised "Modi, Modi" slogans in front of the Wayanad MP in Assam’s Nagaon. Rahul, however, didn't take any offence and greeted them with flying kisses. He also stepped down from his vehicle to meet them.

ALSO READ: Rahul Gandhi Blows Flying Kiss As BJP Workers Raise ‘Jai Shri Ram Chants’, ‘Pro-Modi Slogans’ During His Yatra In Assam| Watch

Congress later alleged their leaders were targeted by BJP workers after their foot march entered Assam. The grand party has also planned nationwide protests over alleged attacks on Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Assam.