Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has leveled accusations against Prime Minister Narendra Modi concerning the recent inauguration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, characterizing the event as a grand spectacle marred by the absence of representation from marginalized communities.
During a public address as part of his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra march in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, Gandhi specifically targeted Bollywood luminaries, Amitabh Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, questioning the conspicuous absence of individuals from Other Backward Classes (OBCs) at the Pran Pratishtha ceremony. Notably, Aishwarya Rai did not attend the event, although her presence was highlighted in Gandhi's critique.
"Did you witness the Ram Temple consecration ceremony? Where were the faces representing the OBC community? Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, and Narendra Modi were visible, but where was the representation from the OBCs?" Gandhi remarked, as reported by news agency ANI.
Expressing concern over the apparent marginalization of the majority populace constituting 73 percent of the nation's demographic, Gandhi lambasted the BJP for what he perceived as a deliberate exclusionary tactic aimed at perpetuating their grip on power.
Gandhi reiterated his longstanding advocacy for a comprehensive caste census, contending that such an initiative serves as a vital instrument for unveiling systemic social inequities. "What is the economic status of the 73 percent caste groups in our nation? A caste census serves as the X-ray of our society, exposing its underlying realities," Gandhi emphasized.
The Ram temple ceremony, presided over by PM Modi and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and attended by a host of celebrities, politicians, and dignitaries, notably lacked participation from opposition parties, including the Congress, who abstained from the event, citing allegations of partisan exploitation by the BJP.
Meanwhile, Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra is slated to venture into Amethi, his erstwhile parliamentary constituency, coinciding with Union Minister Smriti Irani's four-day visit to the region. This convergence marks a rare occurrence since 2019 when both leaders will be present in Amethi simultaneously, reminiscent of their separate campaign events during the 2022 assembly polls.
