Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Rai said he was placed under house arrest at a hotel in Ayodhya ahead of a party visit [1].
The incident highlights the ongoing political friction between the Congress party and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over access to the Ram Mandir. The dispute centers on the right of opposition leaders to engage in religious activities at the site without government interference.
Rai was staying at a hotel in Ayodhya when he was allegedly detained [1]. The restriction occurred as a Congress delegation planned to visit the temple to offer prayers [2].
Rai said it was a "cowardly attempt to stop Congress leaders from offering prayers" [3]. He said the move was by the BJP government, suggesting the administration sought to prevent the delegation from reaching the temple [1].
The Congress chief said the move was intended to block the party's presence at the site [3]. This follows a period of tension regarding the temple and the political narratives surrounding its management and accessibility [2].
Local authorities have not issued a formal statement regarding the legal basis for the house arrest or the specific security concerns that may have prompted the action [1]. Rai said the government's approach to managing political visits to the religious landmark was problematic [3].
“"It is a cowardly attempt to stop Congress leaders from offering prayers"”
The allegation of house arrest reflects the high symbolic stakes associated with the Ram Mandir. By attempting to control who offers prayers and when, the ruling BJP maintains a narrative of stewardship over the site, while the Congress party seeks to demonstrate its own inclusivity and religious legitimacy to voters in Uttar Pradesh.
