The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) swiftly responded to Bihar Education Minister Chandra Shekhar’s recent comments on the upcoming Ram Temple consecration ceremony, suggesting that the Opposition should consider venerating historical figures like Babar and Afzal Guru.
Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai weighed in on Chandra Shekhar’s statement, emphasizing the need for individuals like Captain Abdul Hamid and dismissing figures such as Afzal Guru and Mohammad Ali Jinnah. Rai remarked, “This (Ram Temple) is the path of cultural freedom. I don’t understand what enmity they have with Lord Ram and the Ram Temple that they are opposing it again and again. The intentions and policy that they are showing, it looks like they will hang pictures of Babar and Afzal Guru and worship them. The country needs Ashfaqulla Khan and Captain Hamid, not Babur, Afzal Guru, or Jinnah’s ‘jinn’. Here, Lord Ram’s integrity is needed.”
Chandra Shekhar, a Bihar education minister and RJD leader, had earlier stated that the country requires more schools than temples, referencing the upcoming Ayodhya ceremony. He questioned the priorities, asking whether one would go to a temple or a hospital when injured or choose between a temple and school for education and career aspirations.
In response, Rai defended the cultural significance of the Ram Temple, highlighting the need for unity and reverence for Lord Ram. The exchange reflects the ongoing debate over the role of religious and educational priorities in the country.
As the political discourse intensifies, these statements contribute to the broader discussion on the intersection of cultural identity, education, and political ideologies in India.
