Is altered perception on Ram Mandir, stirring discomfort in Congress?

Former External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid, while speaking to ETV Bharat, mentioned that the party had welcomed the Supreme Court verdict which included the building of both temples as well as a mosque. Reported by Niyamika Singh.

New Delhi:The apparent U-turn in the decade-old stance of Congress over the construction of Ram Mandir, can be seen as an attempt to change the perception of being a party which is opposed to Hindu sentiments. However, it also brings a sense of discomfort among a section of Muslim leadership in the party.

A number of leaders expressed a sense of unease over the celebratory voices within the party over the Ram Mandir Bhoomi Pujan, held on Wednesday. However, they mentioned that they are totally in favour of the verdict of the Supreme Court but also hoped that Congress will abide by the complete judgement, taking care of the sentiments of minorities as well.

Is altered perception on Ram Mandir, stirring discomfort in Congress?

TN Prathapan, Congress MP from Kerala, wrote a letter to party's interim President Sonia Gandhi, expressing "disappointment" over the party's stand on Ayodhya, while specifically putting objection to the statements of Madhya Pradesh former Chief Minister Kamal Nath and Rajya Sabha MP Digvijay Singh.

He stated that the support from top brass' for the construction of the temple was akin to "bowing low for the temporary success." He further added, "We can't chase an extreme religious nationalism with its soft prototype."

Former External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid, while speaking to ETV Bharat, mentioned that the party had welcomed the Supreme Court verdict which included the building of both temples as well as a mosque.

"The judgement was not only about the Temple, it was about the temple and the mosque. That's why we are supporting the judgement. Right now, the temple has been built, while the mosque is not at the forefront. We can't celebrate just one part of the judgement, not just Congress but Prime Minister as well," he said.

Is altered perception on Ram Mandir, stirring discomfort in Congress?

After the Bhoomi Pujan of Ram Mandir, a number of Congress leaders also claimed credit for the construction of temple saying that it was former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi who had opened the lock-in 1985. They even complained that the occasion seemed like a BJP-RSS event, who tried to "steal all the credit".

While Prathapan opined in his letter that Congress should not have any stakes in such event, AICC Secretary and Bihar MLA, Shakeel Ahmed Khan told ETV Bharat that opening the lock of Ram Temple was an order of the Court, hence it wouldn't be right to stake a claim for that.

He further added, "There are different voices having different views and opinions within the Congress party. My voice is also different from Kamal Nath and Digvijay Singh. Though, our party gives us an authority to speak out our opinions. We just want that SC's order should be implemented in toto.

"While questions have also been raised over the secular values of the grand old party, former Rajya Sabha MP Rashid Alvi rather attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for "violating his Constitutional oath" by performing Bhoomi Pujan."Secularism doesn't mean that people would have to compromise with its own beliefs. But this is a secular country and therefore PM shouldn't have gone there to perform Bhumi Pujan. If a mosque will be constructed in Ayodhya, would PM visit there?" he asked.

When asked about his views on the party's stand over Ram Mandir, Alvi said he would surely want to discuss it with the leadership.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor also questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech in which he congratulated 130 crore Indians, saying that India's population is estimated at 1,38,00,04,385 in mid-2020.

"An omission of 8 crore people is worrying to many," he said in his tweet, while apparently referring to the Muslim community.

As per the sources, Congress' former president Rahul Gandhi also send a message to the party leaders, on the day of Ram Mandir Bhumi Pujan, stating that he will "never allow Congress to move away from its secular ideals".

When Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera was asked about the matter, during a press conference, he said, "Congress is a vast ocean in which a lot of rivers fall. We have different opinions but the facts are for everyone to see. Facts do not change, opinions may vary."