Congress VP visits Hanuman Garhi temple, keeps away from Babri site

It may be recalled that Rahul Gandhi’s father and the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had also visited Ayodhya in 1990s but could not offer prayers at the Hanuman Garhi temple due to lack of time. He was assassinated the next year

Arnima Dwivedi
Published on: 9 Sep 2016 8:49 AM GMT
Congress VP visits Hanuman Garhi temple, keeps away from Babri site
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Ayodhya: In a move which may have some political ramification, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, visited the Hanuman Garhi temple, on Friday morning.

Rahul who is on a month-long Kisan Yatra which began on Tuesday last is the first member of the Gandhi famly to visit the temple city of Uttar Pradesh since the demolition of Babri Masjid in December 1992.

The Congress Vice President, however, chose to keep away from the disputed Ram Janmbhoomi- Babri Masjid site and drove straight to the famous temple. The disputed place is just a kilometre away from the temple.

Gandhi met the ‘mahant’ (chief priest) of the temple after offering prayers and then left for the Faizabad , where he will hold a road show.

"Rahul came and sought our blessings...we told him we sadhus have no religion and no slant and that he is most welcome here," said Mahant Gyan Das, the temple's chief priest.

It may be recalled that Rahul Gandhi’s father and the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had also visited Ayodhya in 1990s but could not offer prayers at the Hanuman Garhi temple due to lack of time. He was assassinated the next year.

Also Read: Rahul Gandhi to live his father’s dream of visiting Hanuman Garhi

Congress President Sonia Gandhi had last visited Ayodhya in 1992. She, however, has held several election meeting in Faizabad, 7 kilometers away from the town.

Arnima Dwivedi

Arnima Dwivedi

A journalist, presently working as a sub-editor with newstrack.com. I love exploring new genres of humans and humanity.

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