New Delhi, India

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor revealed that he wasn't invited to the Ram Temple idol-installation event on January 22 in Ayodhya. In a subtle critique of the BJP, he stressed on viewing religion as a personal attribute, not for political exploitation.

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"Was interrogated by the waiting press, wanting to know if I would be going to Ayodhya on January 22. I told them I hadn’t been invited but I saw religion as a personal attribute and not one for political (mis)use," he wrote on X.

Tharoor expressed his perspective on religion during media interactions, asserting that it should remain a personal choice and not be manipulated for political gains. 

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Media's role in shaping narrative

Without explicitly naming the BJP, Tharoor accused the media of diverting attention from critical governance issues. He highlighted that focusing excessively on the temple event allowed political entities to sidestep discussions on unemployment, inflation, public welfare, and national security.

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Tharoor underscored his alignment with Sam Pitroda's stance that temples are not within the government's domain. 

"Temples are not the government’s business; unemployment, inflation, public welfare and national security are. But the media allows the temple to turn the focus away from those issues," Tharoor added.

Tharoor criticised the media for sensationalising the temple event, suggesting it detracted attention from substantive governance issues. He implied that such diversions benefited those aiming to capitalize on the religious event while steering clear of addressing governance failures.

While thousands, including political figures and Bollywood celebrities, received invitations for the ceremony, Tharoor's party colleagues Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury were invited. However, the Congress party hasn't confirmed their attendance.

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CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury accused the government of intertwining religion with politics, and rejected the VHP's invitation. Congress leader Sam Pitroda echoed Tharoor's sentiments, advocating for a separation between religion and politics.

Pitroda argued against making religious issues a primary political platform and emphasised addressing critical matters like employment and inflation. The BJP, in response, accused Pitroda of practicing appeasement politics.

The Supreme Court's 2019 ruling ended the decades-long dispute by permitting the construction of the Ram Temple on the disputed site. It also directed authorities to allocate an alternative land parcel for the construction of a mosque. 

(With inputs from agencies)