Shashi Tharoor expresses his opinion on visiting Ram Mandir

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has clarified his stance on attending the inauguration of the Ram Mandir, stating that while he would love to visit the temple one day, it won't happen on the day of the "grand political extravaganza" on January 22. Tharoor emphasized that his visit to the Ram Temple should not be interpreted as a political move and asserted that it would not take place before the 2024 elections.

He defended the personal nature of religious faith, expressing that for him, a temple is a place to connect with the divine rather than a stage for political theater. Tharoor's comments come amid a dilemma within the Congress party regarding attendance at the Ram Temple event, with UDF allies in Kerala and several Muslim bodies opposing Congress leaders' participation.

The controversy over Congress leaders attending the Ram Temple inauguration has stirred debate within the party, with conflicting views on the potential impact on the Congress's Hindu vote base. Shashi Tharoor emphasized the importance of individual freedom in deciding whether to attend such events and rejected the politicization of religious faith.

Responding to the ongoing row, Tharoor expressed the hope that each invitee would be free to make a personal choice without being labeled as "anti-Hindu" for non-attendance or accused of "playing into the BJP's hands" if they choose to attend.