- By Aashish Vashistha
- Wed, 10 Jan 2024 07:41 AM (IST)
- Source:PTI
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor backed Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar regarding his remarks about the Karnataka government celebrating the forthcoming grand consecration ceremony of Ayodhya Ram Temple on January 22 and said that Shivakumar expressed his respect for all religions.
His remarks came in response to Shivakumar’s statement in which he defended the Siddaramaiah-led Karnataka government’s decision to celebrate the consecration ceremony of Ram Temple saying, "Ultimately we are all Hindus.”
"We respect everyone's right to worship as you see fit, and that remains the Congress position,” Tharoor was quoted as saying by news agency PTI. Hitting out at the central government, the Congress leader said that only three individual leaders were given the invite to the grand consecration ceremony and not the entire party.
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Reportedly, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, former party chief Sonia Gandhi, and the party's leader in the Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury received invitations for the consecration ceremony.
"They have announced that the invitations are for the named individuals only. And therefore it is not a party invitation. So it is for the named individuals to make a decision (on whether to participate in the function or not). Let us leave them the right to make their own decisions," Tharoor said.
On his participation, the Thiruvananthapuram MP said that he does not need to participate in a political function as he goes to temples to pray not to do politics.
Tharoor further stated that the grand old party was very critical of the Babri Masjid incident that took place 25 years ago and stated that he had personally written about it.
"But once the Supreme Court took a decision, and the Supreme Court ruled on the matter, we said that was the end of the debate. There is no point now rehashing the past. The courts have taken a decision. Of course, a beautiful Masjid must also be built to compensate the worshipers of the Muslim community and the beautiful temple has also been built," he said.
About Ayodhya Ram Temple Consecration Ceremony:
The Ayodhya Ram temple consecration ceremony will witness the installation of the idol of Ram Lalla (Lord Ram in his childlike form) at the grand temple. Preparations are in full swing in the temple town to welcome the devotees, delegates, and tourists for the inauguration of the Ram Temple on January 22 this year.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to attend the consecration ceremony at the Ram Temple. The event has garnered significant attention, with several VVIP guests from India and abroad receiving invitations to participate in the auspicious occasion in Ayodhya.
