Digvijaya Singh Visits Ayodhya: Affirms Support for Ram Temple Construction
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Ayodhya, March 26 (NationPress) Former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh and prominent Congress figure Digvijaya Singh visited Ayodhya on Thursday to pray at the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple. He emphasized that he has never opposed the temple's construction and has made contributions to the temple trust.
Arriving at Maharshi Valmiki International Airport earlier that day, Singh addressed the media.
"As we celebrate the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami, I wish everyone heartfelt greetings. May the grace of Lord Ram be upon us all. I also plan to visit Hanumangarhi and Ramlala for my prayers," Singh stated.
Historically, the Congress party has not openly supported the construction of the Ram Temple and has chosen to decline the invitation for the consecration ceremony in January 2024, labeling it as a "political project" linked to electoral motives.
The party has previously claimed that the temple was not complete at the time, characterizing the event as more partisan than spiritual.
When asked about his stance, Singh clarified, "I have never been against it; that’s a misconception... I have contributed funds. In fact, I donated Rs 1,10,000 for the temple... My presence here is not politically motivated."
This visit has sparked renewed political debates between the BJP and Congress, with leaders from both parties exchanging pointed comments regarding the timing and purpose of Singh's visit.
The BJP criticized Singh, noting that the Congress leadership had previously been invited to the Ram Temple consecration but opted not to attend.
BJP MLA from Bhopal, Rameshwar Sharma, who frequently critiques Singh concerning Lord Ram, remarked, "During your visit to the Ram Temple, I urge you to pay tribute to the martyrs who faced violence in 1992," adding that had the nation's political leaders recognized the significance sooner, the Ram Temple would have been constructed years ago.
He continued, "As you pray today to the very Ram Lalla that your party once regarded as imaginary, acknowledge that Ram Lalla is indeed a living reality, not a mere figment of imagination."
In response to the criticisms, Congress leaders defended Singh’s stance, asserting that the comments were politically motivated. Party spokesperson Jitendra Mishra emphasized that Singh's faith and his contributions to the temple should not be questioned.