The upcoming ‘Pran Pratishtha‘ ceremony at the Ayodhya Ram Mandir has stirred both excitement and controversy. Scheduled on 22 January 2024, the event marks a significant milestone in the construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.
However, not all political figures are set to attend the consecration ceremony.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the list of prominent politicians who have chosen to skip the consecration ceremony and the reasons behind their decisions.
Who Rejected Ram Mandir Invitation?
The leaders who have reportedly rejected the invitation for the Ayodhya Ram Mandir ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony include:
- Mallikarjun Kharge (Congress)
- Sonia Gandhi (Congress)
- Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury (Congress)
- Manmohan Singh (Congress)
- Mamata Banerjee (Trinamool Congress)
- Arvind Kejriwal (Aam Aadmi Party)
- Uddhav Thackeray (Shiv Sena)
- Sharad Pawar (Nationalist Congress Party)
- Farooq Abdullah (National Conference)
- Sitaram Yechury (Communist Party of India – Marxist)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Leadership in Pran Pratishtha
At the forefront of the ceremony is Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is expected to lead the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ of the Ram Lalla idol in the Ayodhya Ram Mandir sanctum sanctorum.
Also Read: Ramnamis: Devotees of Lord Ram with Tattooed Faith in Chhattisgarh
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has extended invitations to a diverse range of individuals from political, business, entertainment, religious, sporting and cultural backgrounds.
Opposition’s Decision to Skip Pran Pratishtha
Most notably, several opposition parties associated with the Indian National Democratic Inclusive Alliance (I.N.D.I.A) have opted to abstain from the inauguration.
The list includes key figures from the Congress, Trinamool Congress, Aam Aadmi Party, Shiv Sena(Uddhav Thackeray), Nationalist Congress Party, National Conference and Communist Party of India (Marxist).
Prominent Congress Leaders to Skip Pran Pratishtha Ceremony
Prominent leaders from the Congress party, including Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, have declined the invitation to the ‘Pran Pratishtha‘ ceremony of Ayodhya Ram Mandir.
Their absence raises questions about the party’s stance on the religious event.
Trinamool Congress and Aam Aadmi Party
Mamata Banerjee, the leader of the Trinamool Congress and Arvind Kejriwal from the Aam Aadmi Party are among those who won’t be attending.
The decision of these regional leaders to skip the ceremony reflects diverse political perspectives and regional considerations.
Shiv Sena(Uddhav Thackeray) and Nationalist Congress Party
Uddhav Thackeray, the leader of Maharashtra based Shiv Sena and Sharad Pawar from the Nationalist Congress Party have also chosen not to participate.
Their decisions underline the complex political landscape and regional sentiments surrounding the Ram Mandir inauguration.
National Conference and Communist Party of India (Marxist)
Farooq Abdullah of the National Conference and Sitaram Yechury from the Communist Party of India (Marxist) are other opposition leaders who have decided against attending the event.
Also Read: Ayodhya Ram Mandir Consecration Celebrations Around the World
The diverse reasons behind their absence highlight the nuanced nature of Indian politics.
Akhilesh Yadav’s Initial Refusal to Attend Pran Pratishtha Ceremony
Initially, Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav declined the VHP’s invitation, citing unfamiliarity with the organizers.
However, he later expressed willingness to visit the Ram Mandir after the consecration ceremony of Ayodhya Ram Mandir, demonstrating a nuanced shift in his stance.
Special Mention: LK Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi
Notably, veteran BJP leaders LK Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi are unlikely to attend the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony.
This could be due to various factors, including health considerations or personal choices.
Akhilesh Yadav’s Social Media Acknowledgment
Akhilesh Yadav’s engagement with the invitation on social media showcases the dynamic nature of political decisions.
Also Read: Day 5 of Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha: Cleansing with Saryu Water
His eventual acknowledgment and expression of gratitude to the Ram Mandir Trust indicate a potential thawing of political differences, at least on a symbolic level.
Preparations for Devotees in Ayodhya for Pran Pratishtha Ceremony
In anticipation of the pran pratishtha event, the Uttar Pradesh government has made extensive preparations to ensure the smooth entry and exit of devotees.
With designated parking spaces for over 22,000 vehicles under drone surveillance, the arrangements aim to facilitate a well organized and secure environment for the attendees.
Conclusion
The decision of political figures to skip the Ayodhya Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha ceremony reflects the intricate interplay of politics, religion and regional sentiments in India.
Also Read: Photos of Ram Lalla Idol in Garbhagriha of Ayodhya Ram Mandir
While some leaders emphasize their absence due to personal reasons, others may be driven by political considerations.
As the nation awaits this historic event, the diverse reactions from political figures add layers of complexity to the unfolding narrative surrounding the Ayodhya Ram Mandir inauguration.
