Saints issue ultimatum over Akhilesh’s Ayodhya visit, 400 list seven conditions
CNN Central News & Networks / ITDC India ePress / ITDC News / Agencies:
Ahead of Samajwadi Party national president Akhilesh Yadav’s proposed Ayodhya visit on December 12, religious and political activity has intensified in the temple town. On Wednesday, a meeting of around 400 saints and mahants was held at Maniramdas Chhavani. Expressing anger over Akhilesh’s visit, the meeting unanimously passed seven resolutions. The saints made it clear that Akhilesh would not be allowed to enter Ayodhya’s five-kos scriptural boundary without apologising over the firing on kar sevaks during the Ram Janmabhoomi movement in 1990.
Demand for apology to families of kar sevaks
At the meeting, the saints demanded that Akhilesh Yadav first publicly apologise to the families of the kar sevaks killed in the firing and to the saint community. They also said he should bathe in the Saryu as an act of atonement. The saints said the events linked to the Ram Janmabhoomi movement cannot be forgotten. They also objected to Akhilesh not attending the Ram temple consecration ceremony and to remarks made earlier about saints and mahants.
Religious visit or political message?
The saints’ meeting took place at a time when SP leaders have said Akhilesh Yadav will visit Ayodhya with his family and offer prayers at Ramlala and Hanumangarhi. SP leaders say the visit is linked to religious faith. However, a section of saints has described it as politically motivated.
The controversy has once again brought the political debate between the SP and the BJP over the Ram temple movement and Ayodhya to the centre ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections. All eyes are now on Akhilesh Yadav’s response and the proposed visit.
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