The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has declined an invitation to attend the inauguration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, alleging that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has turned the ceremony into a “political event.”
In a statement issued on Monday, the CPM said that its general secretary, Sitaram Yechury, had received an invitation to attend the inauguration, but that the party had decided to decline it.
“The CPI(M) policy has been to respect religious beliefs and safeguarding the right of every individual to pursue their belief,” the statement said. “It believes that religion is a personal choice not to be converted into an instrument for political gain.”
The CPM’s statement comes amid criticism from some quarters that the BJP is using the Ram temple inauguration to score political points. The party has denied the allegations, saying that the ceremony is a purely religious event.
The Ram temple is being built on the site where the Babri Masjid, a 16th-century mosque, was demolished in 1992. The demolition triggered widespread Hindu-Muslim violence across India.
The construction of the Ram temple is a long-cherished dream of Hindus, and the inauguration is expected to be a major event. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to attend the ceremony.
The CPM’s decision to decline the invitation is likely to be seen as a snub to the BJP. The CPM is one of the main opposition parties in India, and its decision not to attend the inauguration could damage the BJP’s efforts to portray the event as a national celebration.
It is not yet clear whether other opposition parties will follow the CPM’s lead and decline the invitation. However, the CPM’s decision is likely to add to the controversy surrounding the Ram temple inauguration.
