Yechury refuses invitation to attend Ram mandir inauguration event

New Delhi: CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury has turned down an invitation to attend the Ram mandir inauguration event at Ayodhya on January 22, saying religion was a personal choice and this event was politicisation of the religious beliefs of the people, which was not in consonance with the Constitution. The Left party, in a statement, said the religious ceremony had been converted into an instrument for political gain.

“I have not told anybody anything so far. Nripendra Misra was escorted by a VHP leader who came and gave me the invitation… Religion is a personal choice of every individual. We respect and safeguard the right of every individual to choose their particular form of faith… As far as the Indian Constitution and the Supreme Court are concerned, they have very clearly said that the State shall not profess any particular religion or have any religious affiliation. What is happening in this inauguration ceremony is that it has been converted into a state-sponsored event, with the Prime Minister, the UP CM and others holding constitutional positions… This is straightforward politicisation of the religious belief of the people, which is not in consonance with the Constitution. Therefore, in these circumstances, I regret not being able to attend the event,” Mr Yechury said.

CPI(M) politburo member Brinda Karat echoed his views, saying that her party respects religious beliefs of individuals but was against the politicisation of religion. “Our party will not attend the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya… There is a basic reason for that. We respect religious beliefs but they are connecting a religious programme with politics... This is the politicisation of a religious programme, which is not right. The State should not have any religious colour,” Mrs Karat said.

The CPI(M), in a statement, said it was “most unfortunate” that the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) have converted a religious ceremony into a State-sponsored event directly involving the PM, the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh and other government functionaries.

“Our policy is to respect religious beliefs and the right of each individual to pursue their belief. Religion is a personal choice, not to be converted into an instrument for political gain. Comrade Sitaram Yechury will not attend the ceremony despite receiving an invitation to do so. The CPI(M) policy has been to respect religious beliefs and safeguarding the right of every individual to pursue their belief. It believes that religion is a personal choice not to be converted into an instrument for political gain. Therefore, we will not be attending the ceremony,” the party said.

“A fundamental principle of governance in India as reiterated by the Supreme Court is that the State in India, under the Constitution, should have no religious affiliation. This is being violated by the ruling regime in the organisation of the event,” the CPI(M) said.