Ayodhya: Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav on Friday announced his decision not to attend the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya as other Opposition leaders have also opted to abstain from the event. The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister conveyed his intention to visit the temple at a later date with his family. In a letter addressed to Champat Rai, the general secretary of the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra, Akhilesh Yadav expressed his gratitude for the invitation and extended congratulations on the successful completion of the ceremony.
He stated, “I will surely visit Ayodhya with my family after the Pran Pratishtha ceremony.”
Earlier, on Friday, Akhilesh remarked, “Can anyone ever be invited to God’s abode? We visit temples impulsively, where there is an inner calling and an urge deep down”, as quoted by news agency ANI. He emphasised the Samajwadi Party’s unwavering belief in the country’s tradition and Sanatana.
Quoting Swami Vivekananda on the occasion of his birth anniversary, Yadav said, “Today is the birth anniversary of Vivekananda. He had said that our society teaches tolerance. Those who do not trust the Constitution can never be a Sanatani. We are people who believe in Bhimrao Ambedkar.”
Responding to queries on temple visits, he added, “Jab Bhagwan bulayenge, Jab Shri Ram bulayenge hum jayenge… (When God calls, when Shri Ram calls, we will go).”
