A hush descends upon Ayodhya, broken only by the joyous chants of millions echoing across the hallowed ground. For decades, the air here shimmered with the tension of contested faith. But today, as the Ram Mandir rises in resplendent glory, a curious silence marks the grand old tent of the Congress. They are invited, yet absent. Their decision to walk away leaves a void as profound as the celebration itself. This is not merely a story of a party missing a momentous occasion. It is a tale of tightropes walked, of internal fissures laid bare, and of political calculations whispered in hushed tones.

Within the Congress, fault lines appear deep and wide, mirroring the fractures that run through the national conscience. Leaders from the North, painted as appeasers by some, yearn to embrace the moment, while voices from the South, steeped in secularity, urge caution. Ayodhya becomes a crucible, exposing the stark contrast between the Congress's historic identity and the electoral arithmetic of the present.

Was this then a tactical abdication born of political expediency or a principled stand against populism's tide? Did the party flinch from the searing gaze of history, seeking solace in the shadows of electoral peril? As saffron flags dance against the sunlit sky, the Congress grapples with its own internal monsoon, a torrent of questions threatening to drown out any semblance of clarity. Did secularism, the once-towering pillar of their legacy, crumble under the weight of political calculations? Or did it stand tall, refusing to be bartered at the altar of short-term gains?

Did the party fail to seize the mantle of inclusivity, or did it choose a nuanced silence over pandering to a singular narrative? These are the riddles Ayodhya whispers, leaving behind a trail of speculations that snake through the labyrinthine corridors of Indian politics. As the nation basks in the afterglow of a long-fought victory, the Congress stands at a crossroads, its gaze fixed on the uncharted map of its future.


ALSO READ | Ayodhya Ram Mandir: People Who Defined Ram Janmabhoomi Movement And Brought About Hindutva's Resurgence

Cacophony Of Confusion


In the resonant hush of Ayodhya's consecration, the Congress's absence hangs heavy, casting a shadow not of conviction but of fractured unity. While veterans like Karan Singh voiced dissent, the party's decision resonates with whispers of regional anxieties from Kerala, Karnataka, and Telangana. Does this calculated silence mask expediency or a genuine struggle between secular principles and electoral realities? This absence alienates both Hindu and Muslim voters, leaving them adrift in a sea of unanswered questions. Was it fear of the BJP's Hindutva narrative or the lack of a clear counterpoint within the Congress itself? The Ram Mandir verdict offered a stage for reconciliation, a chance to bridge divides. Instead, the party retreated into internal bickering, trading conviction for the mirage of political appeasement.

Ayodhya's echoes expose fissures running deep within the Congress — North versus South, pragmatism versus principle. This is not a strategic dance, but a party adrift in a labyrinth of its own making. The time for silence is over. The Congress must choose. Will it surrender to the cacophony of internal dissension or find its voice and forge a path forward, embracing a nuanced yet coherent stance on issues that divide and define the nation? Ayodhya may fade, but the echoes of this choice will resonate long after the saffron garlands have withered.

ALSO READ | Advani's Ayodhya Rath Yatra That Changed The Political Landscape And Face Of Hindutva In India

Congress And Its Secularism Crisis


The absence of Congress speaks volumes, not of dissent but of a party at war with its own ideology. For decades, the Congress has trumpeted a secular tune, yet in this defining moment, the notes falter, leaving behind a discordant silence. This is not merely a political misstep; it's a stark revelation of a deeper conflict. Can the Congress reconcile its age-old secular mantle with the contemporary realities of a faith-driven electorate? The Supreme Court's verdict offered a chance to harmonise these discordant tones, a bridge between principle and pragmatism. Instead, the party retreats into a chamber of internal debates, leaving both Hindu and Muslim constituents bewildered in the aisles. Critics rightly point to the tangled mess of the Congress's internal discourse. Is secularism, once a pillar of their legacy, crumbling under the weight of electoral anxieties? Or is it merely a melody rewritten for regional ambitions? This ambiguity alienates those seeking clarity, leaving them questioning the very essence of the party's ideology.

Ayodhya's silent pews echo not just with the Congress's missed opportunity but with the echoes of a larger societal struggle. Can secularism, in its traditional form, navigate the complexities of a diverse, faith-conscious nation? Or must it evolve, adapt, and find a new rhythm that resonates with the changing times? The Congress's silence, while deafening, holds within it a chance for introspection. This is not a call for a knee-jerk reaction, but for a nuanced reevaluation of their core principles. Can secularism be reframed as a tapestry woven from diverse threads of faith, a symphony where all melodies find their place? Ayodhya may be bathed in saffron light, but the Congress has a choice to make. Will they remain trapped in the shadows of their own dissonance, or will they step into the spotlight, compose a new melody, and reclaim their voice in the chorus of a changing nation?

ALSO READ | Key Ram Temple Ceremony Took Place During Rajiv Gandhi's Tenure, Says Sharad Pawar

Costly No-Show for the Congress


The Congress's strategic choice to steer clear of the Ram Mandir inauguration stems from a meticulous evaluation of its political implications. Fears of saffron storms in Kerala, Karnataka, and Telangana cast long shadows over Ayodhya, forcing the Congress to weigh faith against votes. There are many questions in front of Congress today, and the party will have to answer these before the 2024 election: Could their secular shield survive the searing gaze of a Hindu majority? Could their presence at the consecration bolster the BJP's narrative, turning Ram Mandir into a potent poll plank? This strategic evaluation, murmured in discreet corridors, emanates political cynicism. It distances both Hindu and Muslim voters, compelling them to interpret the enigmatic silence. Was the Congress apprehensive of embracing the temple, or were they merely avoiding revealing their lack of a unified stance? Did they recoil from the historical significance, seeking refuge in the shadows of electoral considerations?

This move reveals the party's recognition of the delicate electoral landscape and the necessity to tread cautiously to avoid alienating key voter bases. The Congress, grappling with a shifting political dynamic, has opted for a calculated approach, demonstrating a keen awareness of the potential ramifications of its actions. While this decision may shield the party from immediate electoral turbulence, it also underscores the prevailing atmosphere of political pragmatism, where each move is meticulously weighed against its impact on electoral success in key battleground states. The nation watches, not for their presence but for their clarity. The Congress cannot stay silent any more. Will the Congress embrace the complexities of faith and politics or remain forever adrift in a sea of self-serving calculations? Ayodhya may fade, but the echoes of their choice will resonate long after the saffron dust settles.

ALSO READ | 'Will Freely Take Out Time After Event': Sharad Pawar To Skip Ayodhya Ceremony



Unwittingly Fuelling BJP's Electoral Narrative for 2024


The Congress's decision to forgo attendance at the Ram Mandir inauguration inadvertently plays into the hands of the BJP's political strategy. As certain Congress leaders argued, participating in the event could potentially amplify the BJP's narrative, particularly given its projected significance as a powerful electoral plank for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections. This underscores the Congress's strategic contemplation and its acknowledgment of the BJP's focus on leveraging the temple inauguration as a political advantage. In avoiding the ceremony, the Congress might unwittingly be validating the BJP's narrative, allowing the latter to monopolise the discourse surrounding the Ram Mandir.

This move reflects not only a political miscalculation but also a failure to counteract the BJP's emphasis on the temple inauguration as a key electoral tool. By choosing absence, the Congress risks ceding ground to the BJP in the narrative battle, potentially bolstering the latter's position in the run-up to the crucial 2024 elections. The Congress, in sidestepping the event, must navigate the fine line between strategic thinking and inadvertently contributing to its opponent's political agenda.

The Congress's decision to stay absent at the Ayodhya event is not merely a refusal of an invitation; it is a manifestation of the deep-seated dilemmas and divisions within the party. As the Ram Mandir saga unfolds, the Congress finds itself walking a tightrope between regional considerations, ideological dilemmas, and electoral pragmatism. The missed opportunity to capitalise on a historic event raises pertinent questions about the party's ability to resonate with the evolving aspirations of the Indian electorate. As the 2024 Lok Sabha elections loom, the Congress must navigate these treacherous waters with strategic acumen, clarity of vision, and a coherent ideological stance to remain a relevant political force in the country.

ALSO READ | Ayodhya Recap: Two 1990 Incidents, 72 Hours Apart, That Led To The Fall Of Babri Masjid Two Years Later




The author teaches journalism at St. Xavier's College (autonomous), Kolkata, and is a columnist.

[Disclaimer: The opinions, beliefs, and views expressed by the various authors and forum participants on this website are personal and do not reflect the opinions, beliefs, and views of ABP Network Pvt. Ltd.]



The Congress's decision to forgo attendance at the Ram Mandir inauguration inadvertently plays into the hands of the BJP's political strategy. As certain Congress leaders argued, participating in the event could potentially amplify the BJP's narrative, particularly given its projected significance as a powerful electoral plank for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections. This underscores the Congress's strategic contemplation and its acknowledgment of the BJP's focus on leveraging the temple inauguration as a political advantage. In avoiding the ceremony, the Congress might unwittingly be validating the BJP's narrative, allowing the latter to monopolise the discourse surrounding the Ram Mandir.

This move reflects not only a political miscalculation but also a failure to counteract the BJP's emphasis on the temple inauguration as a key electoral tool. By choosing absence, the Congress risks ceding ground to the BJP in the narrative battle, potentially bolstering the latter's position in the run-up to the crucial 2024 elections. The Congress, in sidestepping the event, must navigate the fine line between strategic thinking and inadvertently contributing to its opponent's political agenda.

The Congress's decision to stay absent at the Ayodhya event is not merely a refusal of an invitation; it is a manifestation of the deep-seated dilemmas and divisions within the party. As the Ram Mandir saga unfolds, the Congress finds itself walking a tightrope between regional considerations, ideological dilemmas, and electoral pragmatism. The missed opportunity to capitalise on a historic event raises pertinent questions about the party's ability to resonate with the evolving aspirations of the Indian electorate. As the 2024 Lok Sabha elections loom, the Congress must navigate these treacherous waters with strategic acumen, clarity of vision, and a coherent ideological stance to remain a relevant political force in the country.

ALSO READ | Ayodhya Recap: Two 1990 Incidents, 72 Hours Apart, That Led To The Fall Of Babri Masjid Two Years Later

The author teaches journalism at St. Xavier's College (autonomous), Kolkata, and is a columnist.

[Disclaimer: The opinions, beliefs, and views expressed by the various authors and forum participants on this website are personal and do not reflect the opinions, beliefs, and views of ABP Network Pvt. Ltd.]

QOSHE - Absence In Ayodhya Tact Or Gamble? Congress Walks A Tightrope As Ram Mandir Saga Unfolds - Sayantan Ghosh
menu_open
Columnists Actual . Favourites . Archive
We use cookies to provide some features and experiences in QOSHE

More information  .  Close
Aa Aa Aa
- A +

Absence In Ayodhya Tact Or Gamble? Congress Walks A Tightrope As Ram Mandir Saga Unfolds

7 14
18.01.2024

A hush descends upon Ayodhya, broken only by the joyous chants of millions echoing across the hallowed ground. For decades, the air here shimmered with the tension of contested faith. But today, as the Ram Mandir rises in resplendent glory, a curious silence marks the grand old tent of the Congress. They are invited, yet absent. Their decision to walk away leaves a void as profound as the celebration itself. This is not merely a story of a party missing a momentous occasion. It is a tale of tightropes walked, of internal fissures laid bare, and of political calculations whispered in hushed tones.

Within the Congress, fault lines appear deep and wide, mirroring the fractures that run through the national conscience. Leaders from the North, painted as appeasers by some, yearn to embrace the moment, while voices from the South, steeped in secularity, urge caution. Ayodhya becomes a crucible, exposing the stark contrast between the Congress's historic identity and the electoral arithmetic of the present.

Was this then a tactical abdication born of political expediency or a principled stand against populism's tide? Did the party flinch from the searing gaze of history, seeking solace in the shadows of electoral peril? As saffron flags dance against the sunlit sky, the Congress grapples with its own internal monsoon, a torrent of questions threatening to drown out any semblance of clarity. Did secularism, the once-towering pillar of their legacy, crumble under the weight of political calculations? Or did it stand tall, refusing to be bartered at the altar of short-term gains?

Did the party fail to seize the mantle of inclusivity, or did it choose a nuanced silence over pandering to a singular narrative? These are the riddles Ayodhya whispers, leaving behind a trail of speculations that snake through the labyrinthine corridors of Indian politics. As the nation basks in the afterglow of a long-fought victory, the Congress stands at a crossroads, its gaze fixed on the uncharted map of its future.


ALSO READ | Ayodhya Ram Mandir: People Who Defined Ram Janmabhoomi Movement And Brought About Hindutva's Resurgence

Cacophony Of Confusion


In the resonant hush of Ayodhya's consecration, the Congress's absence hangs heavy, casting a shadow not of conviction but of fractured unity. While veterans like Karan Singh voiced dissent, the party's decision resonates with whispers of regional anxieties from Kerala, Karnataka, and Telangana. Does this calculated silence mask expediency or a genuine struggle between secular principles and electoral realities? This absence alienates both Hindu and Muslim voters, leaving them adrift in a sea of unanswered questions. Was it fear of the BJP's Hindutva narrative or the lack of a clear counterpoint within the Congress itself? The Ram Mandir verdict offered a stage for reconciliation, a chance to bridge divides. Instead, the party retreated into internal bickering, trading conviction for the mirage of political appeasement.

Ayodhya's echoes expose fissures running deep within the Congress — North versus South, pragmatism versus principle. This is not a strategic dance, but a party adrift in a........

© ABP Live


Get it on Google Play