Sir — This refers to the article, “Back to religious passion to gain votes” (October 21) by Kalyani Shankar. I concur with the author’s views that the multi-crore futuristic Ramayan museum project for Ayodhya, announced by the Centre, has come across as an ace political card that has ruffled feathers in the field of politics.
Simultaneously, it has left other parties in the foray in the politically significant Uttar Pradesh, in a Catch-22 situation — they can neither overtly oppose nor support the idea, out of political considerations. The Samjawadi Party has steered clear of either situation, by announcing a ‘world class’ theme park and an amphitheatre there.
On the face of it, the Centre wants to make the most of this political ambiguity by indirectly invoking the Ram temple issue, that is not its political plank. On the other hand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi seemed to be flying a political kite by ending his speech with “Jai Shri Ram” in lucknow.