Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh is set to visit the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya on Thursday. This marks his first visit to the temple town since the shrine’s foundation stone laying ceremony. Singh’s itinerary includes offering prayers at key religious sites like Hanumangarhi, the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, and Kanak Bhawan.
The upcoming visit has sparked a fresh round of political debates between the BJP and the Congress. Leaders from both parties have exchanged sharp comments regarding the timing and purpose of Singh’s trip. The BJP has criticized Singh for not attending the Ram Temple consecration ceremony despite being invited earlier.
BJP MLA Rameshwar Sharma from Bhopal, known for targeting Digvijaya Singh on matters related to Lord Ram, took a dig at the former CM. Sharma urged Singh to pay homage to the martyrs of 1992 during his temple visit. He emphasized that acknowledging this historical reality could have expedited the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
In response to the criticism, Congress leaders have defended Singh’s visit and dismissed the remarks as politically driven. Party spokesperson Jitendra Mishra emphasized that Singh’s faith should not be doubted, highlighting his contributions to the temple’s construction. Mishra also questioned the BJP leaders on their public service record.
In 2021, Digvijaya Singh made a donation of Rs 1,11,111 towards the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. He sent the contribution to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. Singh had expressed his intention to visit the temple for prayers once its construction is completed. Meanwhile, Hanuman Garhi Temple priest Mahant Raju Das noted the shift in perception, observing that those who once doubted Lord Ram’s existence are now visiting the temple.
