‘Are you mahant of Ram Temple?’: Mallikarjun Kharge slams Amit Shah for announcing temple opening date

AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge said Amit Shah’s job is to ensure security of the country but he is instead talking about the temple.

3 min readNew DelhiUpdated: Jan 6, 2023 09:49 PM IST

Addressing a rally in Panipat in Haryana along with Rahul Gandhi where the Bharat Jodo Yatra has reached, Kharge accused the BJP government of not fulfilling their promise of creation of jobs. (Express/PTI)

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‘Are you mahant of Ram Temple?’: Mallikarjun Kharge slams Amit Shah for announcing temple opening date

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A day after Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced that the Ram temple in Ayodhya will be ready on January 1, 2024, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge Friday hit out at him questioning his credentials to declare the opening of a temple.

Kharge said Shah’s job is to ensure security of the country but he is instead talking about the temple. Addressing a rally in Panipat in Haryana along with Rahul Gandhi where the Bharat Jodo Yatra has reached, Kharge accused the BJP government of not fulfilling their promise of creation of jobs.

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“There is an election in Tripura. (Amit) Shah goes there and says Ram Temple is being constructed and its inauguration is on (January) 1st. Everybody has faith in God but why are you announcing it during the election?” Kharge asked.

He added, “Are you the pujari of the Ram Temple. Are you the mahant of the Ram Temple? Let the mahants, sadhus and sants talk about it. Who are you to talk about the opening of the temple? You are a politician. Your job is to keep the country secure, maintain law and order, ensure food for the people and provide farmers with adequate prices.”

Kharge said the government had promised to double the income of the farmers but it has not happened. “They talked about increasing the MSP. Did that happen?”

The AICC president added, “They (BJP) are roaming around with a dagger, dividing society and pitting castes and religions against each other.” Kharge said Rahul’s Bharat Jodo Yatra is aimed at bridging that divide. “It is not for votes. This is in the national interest, this is in your interest, this is in the interest of the farmers, youth, women and the Dalits,” he said.

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Addressing a rally in Tripura’s Sabroom where the Assembly election is due in March, Shah Thursday criticised the Congress and Rahul over the temple issue and praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for expediting its construction.

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“Babur destroyed it and left and from the time the country gained Independence, these Congress people got the case embroiled in the courts – Sessions Court, then the High Court, then the Supreme Court, again back to the Sessions Court. Modiji came and then one morning, the Supreme Court order was out. Modiji performed the bhoomipujan for Ram Lalla’s temple and the construction work began,” he said while announcing that on January 1, 2024, the temple will be opened.

Manoj C.G

Manoj C G currently serves as the Chief of National Political Bureau at The Indian Express. A veteran journalist with a career spanning nearly two decades, he plays a pivotal role in shaping the publication's coverage of India's political landscape. Experience & Career: Manoj has built a robust career in political journalism, marked by a transition from wire service reporting to in-depth newspaper analysis. The Indian Express (2008 – Present): He joined the organization in 2008 and has risen to lead the National Political Bureau, overseeing key political coverage. Press Trust of India (PTI): Prior to his tenure at The Indian Express, Manoj worked with India’s premier news agency, PTI, honing his skills in breaking news and accurate reporting. Expertise & Focus Areas: As a seasoned political observer, Manoj focuses on the nuances of governance and party dynamics. National Politics: extensive reporting on the central government, parliamentary affairs, and national elections. Political Strategy: Deep analysis of party structures, coalition politics, and the shifting ideologies within the Indian political spectrum. Bureau Leadership: directing a team of reporters to cover the most critical developments in the nation's capital. Authoritativeness & Trust: Manoj’s authoritativeness is grounded in his nearly 20 years of field experience and his leadership role at a legacy newspaper. His long-standing association with The Indian Express underscores a reputation for consistency, editorial integrity, and rigorous reporting standards required of a Bureau Chief. Find all stories by Manoj C G here. ... Read More

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