By Pradeep Kapoor
Keeping an eye on next assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh in 2022, the opposition parties too are playing Hindu card relating to the bhoomi pujan of Ram Mandir at Ayodhya which took place on August 5.
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra succeeded in hard selling slogan Jai Siaram which was picked up next day by none other than PM Narendra Modi himself during his speech at Ayodhya.
PM Modi who had earlier been raising Jai Sri Ram started by BJP under the leadership of LK Advani in eighties surprised everybody when he too raised slogan Jai Siaram.
Playing her cards well, Priyanka in her tweet talked about the importance of the programm of Ram Temple which should spread the message of national unity.
Making her intention clear, Priyanka further said that Lord Ram belonged to everyone and his character has been the tread to unite humanity in Indian subcontinent. Since he wants welfare of all, he is called Miryada Purushottam.
Priyanka explained how eminent persons like Valmiki Kabir, Sant Ravidas. Mahatama Gandhi and Waris Ali Shah used Lord Rama in their writings.
Significantly, Congress leaders are now taking credit for all that happened since 1949 in temple movement which led to the inauguration of construction of the temple.
There is realisation in Congress that by not playing its Hindu card well, party lost support of majority Hindu community to BJP during the recent elections.
Now Congress leadership is apprehensive of being branded party enjoying support of minorities only.
With Priyanka and Rahul Gandhi talking about Lord Ram and Ram Temple openly, the party wants to win over majority community.
Similarly main opposition party Samajwadi Party and its national President Akhilesh Yadav also said that he hoped that present generation would follow Lord Rama for bringing welfare and peace for all.
In his statement on the eve of the bhoomi pujan, Akhilesh Yadav raised slogans Jai Siaram Jai Radha Krishna and Jai Mahadev and Jai Hanuman.
Akhilesh Yadav realises that his party paid the price of being named pro-minorities party when his father Mulayam Singh Yadav as chief minister ordered firing on karsewaks to protect Babri Masjid on October 30 1990.
Mulayam Singh Yadav’s image was further damaged when he joined hands with Kalyan Singh who as chief minister was responsible for demolition of the mosque.
When Mulayam realised his mistake, he not only parted company with Kalyan Singh but also explained as why he was forced to open firing on karsewaks. He also organised series of Havans through party workers in Faizabad and Ayodhya.
Akhilesh also played Hindu card when he announced the construction of huge statue of Lord Krishna in Etawah.
BSP national president Mayawati too issued statement on Ram Mandirs and gave full credit to Supreme Court which paved way for construction of the temple. Mayawati said her party had always maintained that it would abide by court verdict. (IPA Service)
