Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, Aug 23: Serving of fish at a welcome party organised by some leaders of the Congress in Ayodhya on Sunday sparked a controversy with some local religious figures accusing the opposition party of hurting religious sentiments of the “sanatanis” by serving fish in the temple town, particularly during the holy month of “Shravan.”
The event organiser, however, defended the choice, saying every individual has the constitutional right to eat food according to their preference.
The controversy began after a video surfaced showing fish being prepared at a banquet hall, where a welcome programme was organised for the Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Rai, state in-charge Rajpal Gautam, national spokesperson Akhilesh Pratap Singh and Purvanchal in-charge Abhishek Dutt. Rai also visited the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple and Hanuman Garhi before attending the welcome programme in Tarun. He also recited the Hanuman Chalisa at Hanuman Garhi.
The event was organised by the Congress leader Ram Nihal Nishad following his joining of the party. Food arrangements had been made for a large number of people attending the programme. The video also showed people collecting fish at the venue amid heavy rain. The downpour affected the welcome event as well as preparations for the feast.
The reported fish feast drew objections from some local saints and others. Defending the arrangement, Nishad said eating food of one’s choice was an individual right under the Constitution. Referring to the Nishad community, he said fishing and eating fish were part of its traditional practices. He argued that a person’s food choices should not be questioned on the basis of whether it was Shravan, Bhadon or any other month.
After offering prayers at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi and Hanuman Garhi temples, Rai while talking to media persons, targeted the BJP government in the state over the issue of Ram temple donation fund embezzlement and alleged that attempts were being made to “protect” the main accused in the matter. He questioned the selection process of appointing a chief executive officer for the Ram Temple Trust and said Hindu religious leaders or ‘Dharmacharyas’ should be appointed to oversee the temple administration.
Stating that the Ram Temple should not be allowed to become a “centre of trade,” Mr Rai said he had prayed to Lord Hanuman to give wisdom to those who had allegedly stolen the temple’s money. “Action should be taken against them, and they should be sent to jail,” Rai said.
He also alleged that oppression and injustice were taking place across the country under the BJP regime. “Today, there is oppression and injustice happening across the entire country, and the whole country is in a state of lamentation,” Rai said.