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Kejriwal alleged that Shah had referred to Lord Ram and the Ram Mandir more than 42 times in speeches and interviews, primarily while campaigning for votes.
The former Delhi Chief Minister also referred to the controversy over alleged irregularities involving donations to the Ayodhya Ram Temple, claiming the issue had deeply hurt devotees.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on Union Home Minister Amit Shah, alleging that he has not visited the Ram Temple in Ayodhya since the Pran Pratishtha ceremony in January 2024 despite frequently invoking Lord Ram during election campaigns.
Addressing a press conference, Kejriwal claimed he had verified the information through multiple sources before making the allegation.
“A few days ago, some people told me that those who have taken Bhagwan Ram’s name the most had not even gone for darshan after the temple was built. I found it hard to believe, so I verified it through the internet, ChatGPT, Perplexity and by speaking to several journalists in Uttar Pradesh. Everywhere I found the same information—there is no record of Amit Shah visiting the Ram Mandir. Had he gone, there would certainly have been photographs,” he said.
Kejriwal further alleged that Shah had referred to Lord Ram and the Ram Mandir more than 42 times in speeches and interviews, primarily while campaigning for votes.
“I would request Amit Shah to please visit Ayodhya after today for the darshan of Bhagwan Ram,” he said.
Kejriwal Raises Ram Temple Donation Row
The former Delhi Chief Minister also referred to the controversy over alleged irregularities involving donations to the Ayodhya Ram Temple, claiming the issue had deeply hurt devotees.
“Every Sanatani is distressed by this alleged donation theft. What has come to light so far is only a small glimpse. Much more is yet to emerge. People will ask why someone who sought votes in the name of Prabhu Shri Ram did not even visit Ayodhya for darshan,” Kejriwal said.
He accused the BJP of using Sanatan Dharma for political gains, alleging that the party had “used Sanatan only for power and money.”
AAP Highlights Religious Initiatives
Kejriwal asserted that the AAP was working with “genuine devotion” towards Sanatan Dharma and highlighted several initiatives undertaken by the party-led Punjab government.
He said Bhajan Sandhyas are being organised across Punjab, while the government is facilitating free pilgrimage tours to religious destinations such as Khatu Shyam Ji, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Mathura and Vrindavan.
He also noted that during the AAP government in Delhi, free pilgrimages were organised to Ayodhya and several other religious sites.
Kejriwal further announced that the Kali Mata Temple in Patiala is being restored and that a grand Lav-Kush and Mata Janaki Temple will be constructed in Amritsar.
About the Author
Saurabh Verma covers general, national and international day-to-day news for News18.com as a Chief Sub-editor. He keenly observes politics. You can follow him on Twitter –twitter.com/saurabhkverma19
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