New Delhi: Opposition leaders on Sunday backed Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav's proposed visit to Ayodhya, saying visiting places of worship was a matter of personal faith and devotion.
Yadav is scheduled to visit Ayodhya with his family on December 12. He will offer prayers at the Hanuman Garhi temple and seek blessings at the Ram Mandir. It will be his first visit to the temple since its consecration in January 2024.
BJP criticises temple visit
The proposed visit has drawn criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with party spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi questioning whether Yadav would actually visit the temple.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Trivedi said the "power of Hindu unity" was compelling Yadav to visit, if the announcement was genuine. He also accused the SP chief of previously opposing the Ram temple movement.
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"Even if he does visit as a 'chunavi Hindu', I would say to the Hindu community that they have shown a bit of unity, and look, those who once opened fire at 'kar sevaks' are now talking about paying a visit to the Ram temple," Trivedi said.
"Show a little more unity, and they will even start chanting 'Jai Shri Ram'," he added.
The BJP's remarks came amid preparations for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.
Former SP MLA Pawan Pandey had announced on Saturday that Yadav and his wife, Dimple Yadav, would visit the Ram temple and Hanuman Garhi on December 12.
Opposition backs SP chief
Reacting to the announcement, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh questioned why BJP leaders were objecting to Yadav's decision to visit the Ram temple.
"I don't understand why BJP leaders are acting as gatekeepers of Lord Ram's temple, deciding who can visit the temple and who cannot," Singh said.
Congress leader Udit Raj also described the visit as a matter of faith, saying Lord Ram belonged to everyone. He accused the BJP of using religion for political gain.
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"On the one hand, they say Lord Ram resides in every person, but on the other, they claim credit for building a temple. Their connection with religion and Lord Ram seems limited to power and votes. Lord Ram belongs to everyone," Raj said.
Congress Uttar Pradesh in-charge Rajendra Pal Gautam said the Constitution guaranteed everyone the freedom to practise their religion and visit places of worship of their choice.
"Whether someone wants to visit a temple, mosque, gurudwara, church, Buddhist monastery, or Jain temple is entirely their personal choice. Our Constitution gives everyone the freedom of religion and worship. So why should any political leader have a problem with that?" Gautam said.
