CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury has politely declined the invitation to participate in the inauguration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya scheduled for January 22. The decision was grounded in Yechury's concern over the perceived "politicization of the event." The invitation was extended by Ram temple construction committee chief Nripendra Mishra during a meeting on December 23.
In elucidating his decision, Yechury emphasized the significance of religion as a personal choice and underscored the need to avoid its instrumentalization for political purposes. The CPI(M) leader recounted the invitation, mentioning that Mishra, accompanied by a Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader, presented it to him. Yechury articulated the party's stance on the matter, emphasizing their commitment to respecting and safeguarding the right of individuals to choose their faith.
Highlighting the perceived shift of the inauguration ceremony into a state-sponsored event, Yechury expressed reservations about the involvement of prominent political figures, including the Prime Minister and the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, who hold Constitutional positions. He contended that such politicization is not aligned with constitutional principles, emphasizing that the state, according to the Constitution and the Supreme Court, should not endorse any particular religion or exhibit religious affiliations.
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) officially affirmed Yechury's decision through a released statement, reiterating the party's commitment to respecting religious beliefs and the individual's right to pursue their faith. The statement reinforced that religion should not be exploited as a tool for political gain. Despite the received invitation, Yechury opted not to attend the ceremony, which is anticipated to draw over 6,000 attendees, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, at the grand "Pran Pratistha" ceremony on January 22.
