Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge Extend Invitations to Ram Temple Inauguration Amid Uncertainty

As the date for the grand consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya approaches, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, former President Sonia Gandhi, and Lok Sabha leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury have received invitations for the event scheduled on January 22. However, sources suggest that the senior Congress leaders may choose not to attend the ceremony, according to news agency PTI. The invitations were sent individually, and the process of extending invitations to more opposition leaders is ongoing.

Former Prime Ministers Manmohan Singh and HD Deve Gowda have also been invited to the ceremony, with the invitation outreach expected to expand to more leaders from various political parties in the coming days.

A delegation associated with the Ram Temple construction, including Nripendra Mishra, invited Sonia Gandhi and Kharge. Former President Pratibha Patil and heads of all political parties have also been included in the list of invitees.

Notable Absence: Chief Ministers and Governors Excluded

While leaders of national political parties have been invited to the inauguration ceremony, chief ministers and governors are notably absent from the invitee list, despite many of them being heads of political parties.

The guest list for the event includes heads of major temples such as Kashi Vishwanath and Vaishno Devi, along with representatives from religious and constitutional institutions. Invitations have been extended to spiritual leaders like the Dalai Lama and Mata Amritanandamayi, as well as prominent figures from various fields, including yoga guru Baba Ramdev, actors Rajnikanth, Amitabh Bachchan, Madhuri Dixit, Arun Govil, film director Madhur Bhandarkar, and industrialists Mukesh Ambani and Anil Ambani.

Special Invitations to LK Advani and MM Joshi

In a significant gesture, the Vishva Hindu Parishad has invited LK Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi, key figures in the Ram Mandir movement during the '90s. Both leaders, aged 96 and 90 respectively, expressed their intent to attend if their health permits.

The installation of the idol of Ram Lalla will be attended by Prime Minister Modi, and after the consecration ceremony, Mandal Puja will commence for 48 days from January 24. The public will have the opportunity for darshan of Ram Lalla starting January 23.