With Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai taking up ‘soft Hindutva’ agenda to check polarisation in favour of Bharatiya Janata Party, now former Congress president Rahul Gandhi is likely to visit Ram Lalla’s temple in Ayodhya soon.
This possibility came to light by the secret visit of Rahul Gandhi’s chief advisor and Rajiv Gandhi Foundation chief executive officer Vijay Mahajan to Ayodhya on Monday.
During the visit, Mahajan, along with some selected saints, met Acharya Satyendradas, the chief archaka of Ram Janmabhoomi, at his Satyadham ashram at Ramghat. Along with Mahajan, two-three more important members of Rahul Gandhi’s team were also present during the meeting.
Sources said that during the meeting with Acharya Satyendradas, Mahajan sought guidance from him for the Congress leadership. The sources confirmed that Acharya Satyendradas advised Mahajan to develop collective leadership at the top level in Congress and avoid negative attitude towards Ram temple and Sanatan culture.
Meanwhile, both sides seemed to agree on the fact that Congress has been representing the soul of the country under the patronage of leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Vinoba Bhave.
After a successful and cordial meeting of half an hour with Acharya Satyendradas, Mahajan, while returning, also touched the mind of the chief priest of Ram Janmabhoomi by saying that Rahul Gandhi would come to Ayodhya very soon and have darshan of Ram Lalla and seek his blessings.
Among the other selected saints whom Mahajan met during his visit to Ayodhya included Mahant Janmejay Sharan of Janki Ghat Bada Sthan.
Regarding his meeting, Mahajan said that this visit was purely religious and should not be linked with politics. As far as the possibility of Rahul Gandhi coming to Ayodhya and having darshan of Ram Lalla, there was no hesitation in it, he said.
“Not only Rahul, anyone has the right to come to Ayodhya, have darshan of Ram Lalla and Bajrangbali and worship the sacred Saryu,” he added.
Mahajan also met Mahant Maniramdas associated with Hanuman Garhi during the Ayodhya visit. He said, “Irrespective of whether Rahul Gandhi’s possible visit to Ayodhya should be linked to politics or not, it cannot be denied that if Rahul Gandhi visits Ram Lalla, it will be a strong answer to those people who run their shops by terming Rahul Gandhi as anti-Hindu.”