The Himachal Pradesh Congress Party today staged a symbolic protest over the misappropriation of donations made for the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. Led by Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Congress leaders and workers marched from the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex to the Ram Mandir in Ram Bazaar, raising slogans in protest.
After the protest, the Chief Minister long-with Cabinet Ministers and MLAs offered prayers at the Ram Mandir and also participated in Havan ceremony. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that the BJP has politicised the Ram Mandir whereas millions of devotees across the country have contributed generously towards the construction of the temple according to their faith and capacity.
The Chief Minister said he himself made a donation towards the temple when volunteers approached him during the fundraising campaign. Shri Sukhu said that when the Ram Mandir was inaugurated in Ayodhya, a half-day holiday was declared across the country.
However, the Himachal Pradesh Government declared a full-day holiday because Lord Rama is deeply revered by the people of the state. He said that Lord Rama's ideals continue to inspire the government and every effort has been made to follow those values in public life.
The Chief Minister said that true devotees of Lord Rama do not use his name for political gain as his greatest message is service to humanity. Referring to the irregularities in the management of Ram Mandir donations, he said that after the temple's inauguration, devotees from across the country donated money and jewellery with deep faith and devotion.
He said that those involved have not only misused public donations but also betrayed the trust and faith of millions of devotees. He said that whenever people's faith was violated, citizens across the country stand united against such actions.
Calling it an emotional issue, the Chief Minister said that members of the state Cabinet have offered prayers at the Ram Mandir and prayed that those responsible for the misuse of temple donations should be guided towards the right path. He said that those who collect donations or practise politics in the name of Lord Rama and religion should act with honesty and integrity.
Shri Sukhu said that the credit for initiating the process that eventually led to the construction of the Ram Mandir should first go to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, under whose tenure the locks of the Ram Janmabhoomi site were opened. He said that while the Congress has deep faith in Lord Ram, it does not believe in exploiting religious sentiments for political purposes.
He added that the party believes in the values of Hindu culture, respects all religions and is committed to following the ideals of Lord Rama, whereas the BJP uses his name just for politics. Later, the Chief Minister visited Jakhu Temple where he offered prayers and recited the Hanuman Chalisa.
State Congress President Vinay Kumar, Health Minister Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil, Industries Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh, Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh, Town and Country Planning Minister Rajesh Dharmani, Deputy Chief Whip Keval Singh Pathania, MLAs Harish Janartha, Vinod Sultanpuri and Sudarshan Babloo, State Congress General Secretary Vinod Jinta, Mayor Surinder Chauhan, Deputy Mayor Uma Kaushal, Chairpersons and Vice-Chairpersons of various Boards and Corporations, office-bearers of different Congress organisations and senior party workers joined the protest.