Amidst controversy surrounding Rahul
Gandhi’s proposed visit to Batadrawa Than in Assam’s Nagaon district on the day
of the Ayodhya Ram temple consecration ceremony, the managing committee has
requested the Congress leader to schedule his visit after 3 pm on Monday.
The Batadrawa Than, situated at the
birthplace of Assamese icon Srimanta Sankardeva, is a significant religious
site known for its association with the 15th-16th-century social-religious
reformer.
In a letter addressed to Batadrawa’s
Congress MLA Shibamoni Bora, committee president Jogendra Nath Dev Mahanta
explained that numerous organizations have planned devotional programs at the
Than premises during the Ram temple’s consecration.
Due to the expected influx of thousands
of visitors, the committee cannot permit Rahul Gandhi’s entry before 3 pm, as
decided in a committee meeting.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had
earlier urged Gandhi to reconsider his visit timing, stating that there should
be no competition between the consecration ceremony of the Ram temple and the
visit to Batadrawa.
The CM emphasized such a clash would
reflect poorly on Assam and suggested rescheduling the visit to early morning
or evening to avoid unnecessary diversion of attention.
Responding to CM Himanta’s comments,
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh asserted that Gandhi would proceed
with the planned visit.
The controversy arises as the nation
focuses on the historic Ayodhya ceremony, prompting calls for strategic
scheduling to avoid undue distractions.
