Mallikarjun Kharge: ‘My people still not allowed in temples… if I went to Ayodhya, would they have tolerated it?’

SAYING THAT Scheduled Castes (SCs) still face discrimination across the country, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday accused the BJP government of “humiliating” President Droupadi Murmu and her predecessor Ram Nath Kovind “because they are Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe”. He said Murmu was not invited to the Ram Temple consecration in Ayodhya and the inauguration of the new Parliament building, while Kovind was not allowed to lay the foundation stone of the new Parliament building.

Participating in The Indian Express Idea Exchange programme, Kharge countered Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s charge that the Congress stayed away from the Ram Temple consecration because of political compulsions. Arguing that Scheduled Castes are still not allowed entry in many temples, he said: “Would they have tolerated (it) if I had gone (to Ayodhya)?”

Kharge also rubbished Modi’s “400 paar” campaign pitch, and said his dream of a third term would not be fulfilled as people are yearning for a “change”. Warning against another term, he said BJP leaders were already talking about changing the Constitution.

Asked whether he, with the benefit of hindsight, thought the Congress should have participated in the Ram Temple consecration, Kharge said: “That is personal faith. Whosoever wants, they can go on that day, next day or any day… He (Modi) is not a pujari. Why should he take the lead in performing, establishing the Ram idol… He just (did it) for political purposes. One-third of the temple is not completed… Is it a political function or a religious function? Why are you mixing religion with politics?”

“My people are still not allowed today in all the temples. Leave Ram Mandir, anywhere you go, there is a fight for entry… small