Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged today that authorities in Assam are preventing him from visiting the Batadrava Satra Temple, the birthplace of Srimanta Sankardeva, an Assamese saint and scholar from the 15th century, in Nagaon. Mr. Gandhi questioned the restrictions imposed on him, stating, "We want to visit the temple. What crime have I committed that I cannot visit the temple?" "We don't want to create any problems; we simply want to pray at the temple," he added.
The BJP also staged a protest demanding Rahul Gandhi's return. This caused tension. Rahul Gandhi said, "What wrong have I done to ban the entry of the temple? We don't want to create trouble. We want to pray peacefully in the temple," he said. The Congress party has decided to hold protests across the country this evening against the planned attack on the yatra in Assam.
Meanwhile, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Sharma has appealed to Rahul Gandhi to postpone his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra as there is frequent violence during the yatra at the time of the inauguration of the Ram temple. Rahul Gandhi should avoid unnecessary competition between the inauguration of the Ram temple and the visit to the Bhadrava temple. Untoward incidents will bring a bad name to Assam," he said.
Yesterday, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma urged Mr. Gandhi to reconsider the route for his 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra', citing concerns about potential clashes with the consecration ceremony of the Ram temple in Ayodhya.
Mr. Gandhi added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will now decide who will visit the temple.
"Only one person can enter the temple," he said. Following the incident, Congress leaders and Mr. Gandhi began a sit-in protest in Nagaon. Chief Minister Sarma yesterday stressed the need to avoid unnecessary competition between the consecration ceremony of the Ram temple and the visit to the birthplace of Srimanta Sankardeva at Batadrava.
Mr. Sarma urged Mr. Gandhi to reconsider his plans, expressing concerns that conflicting events could negatively impact the image of Assam. "I urge Rahul Gandhi to not create a notion that there is a competition between Ram Temple and Batadrava Satra because the TV channels will be flashing Ram Temple Pran Pratishtha ceremony on one side and him visiting Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardeva's birthplace on the other side. This won't be good for Assam," Mr. Sarma stated.
The Congress has announced nationwide protests this evening, alleging "planned attacks" on the convoys of Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Assam. Party general secretary KC Venugopal accused the Assam Chief Minister of orchestrating attacks on their convoys, properties, and leaders, labeling him as "the most corrupt chief minister in India."
Mr. Venugopal called for large-scale protests across the country, denouncing what he claimed to be an "assault on democracy" in Assam by the BJP-led government.
Yesterday, during a road show, Mr. Gandhi came face-to-face with a hostile crowd at a roadside eatery in Nagaon, with slogans raised against him and placards displayed with messages like 'Anyay Yatra' and 'Rakibul go back,' referring to Samaguri Congress MLA Rakibul Hussain.