New Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party national convenor Arvind Kejriwal has questioned why Union Home Minister Amit Shah has not visited the Ram Temple in Ayodhya since its consecration, saying he would disclose “some information” on the matter at a separate press conference on Thursday without offering further details.
Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, Kejriwal said it had been 891 days since the Ram Temple was established, yet Shah had “not visited the temple even once to touch Lord Ram’s feet.”
“I didn’t believe it at first. The people who misuse Ram’s name the most haven’t even gone for darshan,” Kejriwal said, expressing surprise that leaders frequently invoking Lord Ram had not themselves sought blessings at the shrine.
He repeatedly directed questions at Shah during the briefing, as reported by The Economic Times, asking, “Why haven’t you visited the Ram Temple? The country is asking. Don’t you feel like seeking blessings? Don’t you feel like visiting the temple? Do you need Lord Ram’s blessings? Do you believe Ramchandra is God?”
Kejriwal said he had checked Shah’s public schedule and found no record of a visit to the Ayodhya shrine since its inauguration.
Kejriwal’s remarks came amid a political dispute over alleged irregularities in donations to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
Politics & Faith Questioned
The AAP leader accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of routinely invoking the Ram Temple in election campaigns. “In these 891 days, he has used Ram Mandir in interviews and speeches and asked for votes in Lord Ram’s name. He has time to seek votes in Ram’s name but not to visit the temple?” Kejriwal asked, suggesting a gap between political rhetoric and personal acts of devotion.
Kejriwal tied his criticism to fresh allegations about donations to the Ram Temple, saying the fallout had deeply wounded Hindu sentiments. “Every Sanatani in this country is pained because of this case. This is just the tip of the iceberg,” he said.
He said that after coming to power, the Centre and the Uttar Pradesh government should have formally gone to the temple to express gratitude. “The Centre and the state government, Amit Shah should have gone to the temple to say thank you and should have donated Rs 101,” he said.
Allegations Tied To Faith
Claiming the BJP had reaped electoral benefits by invoking Lord Ram, Kejriwal said, “For so many decades, they have been using Ram’s name only to come to power. Ram gave them power in 21 states.”
He also accused those allegedly involved in the misappropriation of temple offerings of lacking faith. “They would have been scared to steal because of fear of God, fear for their future and their lives. But these people have no fear. That means they don’t believe in God,” Kejriwal said. “These people don’t think Ram is God, because if they did, they wouldn’t have stolen the offerings.”
Kejriwal’s remarks came amid an ongoing political dispute over alleged irregularities in donations to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Following a preliminary probe, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust filed a complaint with Ayodhya Police, and an FIR has been registered against eight people. The FIR reportedly includes charges such as theft, criminal breach of trust and criminal conspiracy.
