Congress cautious, most opposition parties skip temple debate

The Lok Sabha discussion on the Ram temple on Saturday, the concluding day of the 17th session of the Lower House, witnessed the ruling BJP side targeting the Congress over its stand on the issue and for skipping the consecration event last month.

The Opposition benches appeared tame and were low in attendance, with the Congress side trying to do a tight-rope walking by recalling how it had supported the apex court order on the Ayodhya dispute and arguing the functioning of the Modi government and attitude of the BJP was not in tune with the spirit of Ram's preachings. The TMC and Left members stayed away from the discussion. The BJP's foe-turned-friend the JD(U), eagerly supported the BJP and hailed the construction of the Ram temple.

Initiating the debate, BJP MP Satyapal Singh congratulated PM Modi for "fulfilling" years of people's yearning for the construction of Ram temple."


Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi said that after the Supreme Court order on Ayodhya dispute, the Congress had supported the construction of a Ram Temple. He targeted the ruling side by saying there have increasing cases of neglect of the socially backward sections and it was against the spirit of Lord Ram, who had collected an army from among the most socially backward sections in its fight against Ravan.