Hanumangarhi Priest on Ayodhya Row: ‘Siddaramaiah’s Name Has Ram, but He Acts Like Kalanemi’

A group of priests, headed by Lakshmikant Dixit, is scheduled to conduct the primary rituals for the pran prathistha (consecration) of Ram Lalla on January 22.

Hanumangarhi temple priest Mahant Raju Das criticized Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for rejecting the invitation to attend the Pran Prathistha ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on January 22.

“Siddaramaiah is a name associated with Lord Ram, but his actions resemble those of Kalanemi (an asura)…Their concerns about Babar, attackers, and how they are playing with the sentiments of the majority – what CT Ravi said is not incorrect,” stated Mahant Raju Das on Sunday.

CT Ravi, a BJP leader, had earlier remarked that Siddaramaiah and his party would not participate in the consecration ceremony of Lord Ram in Ayodhya as they ‘couldn’t leave Babar.’

“Their party has stated that they will not attend (the Pranpratishtha). They have boycotted… They cannot leave Babar and embrace Ram… It would be easier to embrace Ram if they leave Babar… They will not get the bulk votes if they leave Babar… Ram is for everyone. Pranpratishtha should be celebrated like a festival,” mentioned CT Ravi.

Earlier, Kharge, Sonia, and Adhir declined the invitation to the grand Ram Temple opening on January 22, labeling it a ‘BJP-RSS’ event.

Opposition parties of the INDIA bloc have accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party of “exploiting” the Ram Temple for electoral gains in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

The ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony of the Ram Temple is scheduled for January 22, with Vedic rituals commencing on January 16, a week prior to the main ceremony.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will perform rituals to mark the pran prathishta of the idol of Ram Lalla at the grand temple on January 22, led by a team of priests headed by Lakshmikant Dixit. Amrit Mahotsav in Ayodhya will be observed from January 14 to January 22.