In a surprising turn of events, Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi encountered obstacles during his attempt to visit Assam’s Batadrava Than, the birthplace of saint Srimanta Sankardeva. This development transpired a day after Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma suggested that Gandhi postpone his visit until after the consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, citing concerns about “unnecessary competition.”
Expressing disappointment, Gandhi, currently traversing Assam as part of his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, found himself barred from the temple despite receiving an invitation. Authorities remained tight-lipped about the reasons behind their decision.
“We were invited to visit the temple, and now they are telling us that we can’t. We won’t force our way in. We are on our yatra and simply want to understand why we are being stopped. We are not here to disturb anyone; we were invited,” Gandhi emphasized.
In a video, Gandhi can be seen questioning the police about the denial, asking, “What is the issue, brother? Can I go and see the barricades? What mistake have I made that I am not allowed inside the temple?” Subsequently, he staged a sit-in protest against the police’s actions.
The shrine’s management advised Gandhi to visit after 3 pm due to the ongoing Pran Prathistha event. Jogendra Narayan Dev Mahanta, the President of Batadrava Than management committee, explained their preference for Gandhi not to visit during the ceremony to avoid potential complications in welcoming him.
“At that time, we do not want Rahul Gandhi to come here because there may be some difficulties in the process of welcoming him. He can come tomorrow after 3 pm, and we will be able to give him a grand welcome,” Mahanta stated.
On the preceding day, Chief Minister Sarma urged Gandhi to abstain from visiting the shrine during the Ram Temple consecration ceremony, expressing concerns about the potential negative portrayal of Assam.
In a related development, the Congress party plans to protest against the recent stone-pelting incident on Jairam Ramesh’s convoy in Assam, labeling it an instance of “BJP’s fascism and hooliganism.” Congress leader KC Venugopal condemned the incident and called for nationwide protests against what he perceives as an assault on democracy in Assam by the ruling BJP.
Adding to the controversy, Congress leader KC Venugopal tweeted, “Today the BJP stopped Rahul ji from going to Batadrava Satra, despite prior permission. We have entered a new phase of democracy where the BJP will decide who should go to a temple and at what time. This dictatorial regime must realize that its days are numbered. People of India will not allow such authoritarianism. We will not budge till we are allowed to bow before Sri Sri Srimanta Sankardeva.”
