Interview: CPM Leader Sitaram Yechury said- No one should consider Ram Temple as his personal property.

Many leaders have rejected the invitation sent to various opposition political parties of the country for the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony on 22nd January in Ramnagari Ayodhya. He argues that this is not a religious festival, but a ‘show of strength’ to grab votes by the BJP. CPI General Secretary Sitaram Yechury has also received the invitation, but will he not go? Regarding why he would not go, journalist Dr. Ramesh Thakur wanted to know those reasons. Here are the main parts of the conversation-

Question: You also refused to participate in the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony, why?

Answer- Lord Ram resides in every particle of everyone. Whoever has faith in him will automatically get attracted even without invitation. But if a political party organizes a political festival and invites anyone then why should I care, no one should go. I think the focus of any political party or government should be on promoting every religious belief and faith of every person. I have said earlier also that religion is a matter of personal choice of every person, which should not be used for political gains. It is sad that this is being done. As for my refusal, I will go to Ayodhya whenever I feel like it. I have always had unwavering faith in Lord Ram, my name is also ‘Sitaram’ after Ram and Janaki.

Question: How do you see the reason behind keeping the date of temple inauguration festival as 22 January?

Answer: The reason is as clear as water. BJP is doing all this keeping this year’s Lok Sabha elections in mind. Religious issues have always been political weapons for him. They know that if anyone speaks on these issues, they will declare him anti-national or anti-God and will promote themselves as devotees of God. BJP is also engaged in doing similar propaganda regarding Ram Temple. Those who are not reaching Ayodhya on his invitation, they have also started calling them opponents of Lord Ram. As far as I think, BJP is going to fight the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in the name of Ram Mandir only. Because apart from this they don’t have any other issues? It has already failed on all important issues. They do not talk on issues like inflation, unemployment etc. In the name of life and prestige, BJP has thoroughly entangled the entire country.

Question: BJP says that they are bringing Ram only through their own efforts?

Answer: Should anyone ask him where Ram had gone? Ram is there. Let me repeat the words of the BJP people, where is Lord Ram who lives in the tent, why is he not being made to sit in the sanctum sanctorum. Why are other newly made statues being brought from other places in their place? Look, BJP is throwing dust in the eyes of Ram devotees in the name of faith and nothing else? Such vulgar words are being used that even hearing them makes one laugh. Someone should ask him what ‘Pran Pratishtha’ means. Is anyone going to sacrifice his life in Ayodhya on 22 January? However, there is no point in inaugurating a half-built temple. There is no one left to raise their voice, they are doing whatever they feel like. Whereas, many saints of the country are against this date. This date has not been considered appropriate for the inauguration of the temple.

Question: Are opposition leaders calling this religious program a show of strength by BJP?

Answer: What do you want to tell? Is this the program of BJP? It is well known that BJP does politics in the name of religion. Then, he converted the religious ceremony into a government event. This is completely wrong even constitutionally. It is clear in the Constitution that there should be no religious affiliation at the government level. But the central government is also openly violating the rules laid down in the Constitution. If he really has so much love for Lord Ram, then this task should have been left to the officials of ‘Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust’. Keep yourself separate. But here everything is happening the opposite. The Prime Minister sidelined those who fought for a suitable place for Prabhuram, one by one.

Question: The Prime Minister says that he wants to honor everyone by inviting them to Ayodhya?

Answer: There is a lot of difference between their actions and words. There is a long list in BJP of those fighting for the construction of Ram temple. Those people who really desired with all their heart that Lord Ram should come out of the tent and be seated at his rightful place. From respected LK Advani to Uma Bharti, Murli Manohar Joshi, Praveen Togadia, Bala Saheb, there are countless names. Lal Krishna Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi have been clearly refused to reach Ayodhya. This decision is definitely unacceptable. Many BJP leaders are also very angry internally due to this. But the matter boils down to that, who will have a say in the decision of Modi-Shah? Whoever speaks will have his cards wiped out in a jiffy. Everyone knows what happened to those people who had even slightly opposed the Prime Minister’s decision in the past.

Presentation- Dr. Ramesh Thakur