Refuting Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s claim of not inviting President Droupadi Murmu for the Pran Pratishtha of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya due to her tribal origin, Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust stated that the allegations are “absolutely false, baseless, and misleading”. General Secretary Champat Rai expressed serious objections to Rahul’s remarks, emphasising that both President Murmu and former President Ram Nath Kovind were invited to the event held in January this year.
Today an article has been published in the Delhi edition of The Times of India. The article mentions the speech of Congress leader Shri Rahul Gandhi, delivered in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
In his speech, Shri Rahul Gandhi said that the Hon’ble President of Bharat was not invited to… pic.twitter.com/cX6UKnmibj
— Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra (@ShriRamTeerth) April 30, 2024
During a meeting in Gujarat, Rahul Gandhi asserted that President Murmu was not invited to the occasion because of her tribal background. However, Rai stressed that such claims could create divisions in society and are deeply objectionable. He clarified that people from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, and economically weaker sections were invited to the ceremony. Additionally, workers involved in the mandir’s construction and families from marginalised communities participated in the rituals.
President Murmu is scheduled to visit Ayodhya on May 1 to offer prayers at Ram Lalla’s Mandir. The Rashtrapati Bhavan issued a press release stating that she would also perform the Saryu pujan and aarti during her stay. The Pran Pratishtha, held on January 22, witnessed Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading the Vedic rituals in the presence of representatives from various spiritual and religious sects across the country.
Rahul Gandhi’s repeated claims about President Murmu not being invited to the ceremony have been debunked. On April 13, he alleged that she was excluded from the event because of her Adivasi identity. However, it was revealed that President Murmu received a formal invitation from a delegation representing the Ram Mandir Trust on January 12. The delegation, comprising leaders from the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), extended the invitation to her.
The invitation extended to President Murmu underscores the inclusivity of the event, which aimed to bring together people from diverse backgrounds to witness the historic moment of Ram Lalla’s consecration. The ceremony, attended by dignitaries and representatives from various communities, symbolised unity and harmony.
The Pran Pratishtha ceremony marked a significant milestone in the construction of the Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir, constructed in the traditional Nagara style. The temple’s architecture, adorned with intricately sculpted depictions of Hindu deities, reflects the rich cultural heritage of India.
Since the ceremony, Ayodhya has witnessed a surge in devotees visiting the Hanumangarhi Ram Mandir and other religious sites. The overwhelming response from people across the country underscores the deep-rooted reverence for Lord Ram and the significance of the temple in Hindu spirituality.
The debunking of Rahul Gandhi’s claims highlights the importance of factual accuracy in public discourse, especially on sensitive matters concerning religion and identity.
