Congress seeks to recast Ayodhya narrative amid Ram Temple donation row
The Indian National Congress is launching a campaign to challenge the BJP-RSS management of the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. The party is demanding an investigation into alleged misappropriation of temple donations.
Why it matters
This marks a strategic shift in the Congress party's approach to the Ayodhya issue, aiming to reclaim political ground by questioning the governance of a major religious institution.
The Ayodhya dispute predates the rise of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), but the Ram Janmabhoomi movement became the key issue through which the party challenged the Congress’ template of secularism, which sought to keep religion and electoral politics separate.
The latest controversy over the alleged misappropriation of donations at the Ram Mandir has, however, given the Congress an opportunity to frame its attack around the Sangh Parivar’s control over the management of the temple.
“The BJP-RSS have captured the temple administration in an unauthorised manner,” former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said while addressing a press conference at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) office on July 7.
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