"Do they hold a copyright on Lord Ram?": Cong's Udit Raj rips into BJP over Jan 22 invite to Oppn leaders

New Delhi: Hitting out at the BJP ahead of the consecration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on January 22, Congress leader Udit Raj on Sunday said it didn't hold a copyright on the Lord.
Speaking to ANI on Sunday, the Dalit leader said, "Who are they (Opposition) to invite Opposition leaders to the event? Do they hold a copyright on Lord Ram?"
"When the questions are raised if RSS or BJP are inviting Opposition leaders, they say they are not. They are saying that the Ram Janmabhoomi Trust is sending out invites for the event. Whose trust is this? Does it have nothing to do with the BJP?"
On the promise of the BJP-led Centre to take India to being the third-largest economy in the world if elected for a third, straight time, Udit Raj said the country would soon compare with the backward nations of Africa.
"India will soon be downgraded to an underdeveloped country, mark my words. Only the personal net worth of some capitalists by leaps and bounds. However, the per capita income of the people will decrease and we will draw comparisons with the backward countries of Africa," he added.
Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust had earlier sent an invitation on their behalf to Sonia Gandhi and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge for the consecration ceremony of Ram Mandir.
Apart from political and religious leaders, Bollywood actors, including Amitabh Bachchan, have been invited to the 'Pran Pratishtha' of Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
During a one-day visit to Ayodhya on Saturday, PM Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for 46 projects worth Rs 15,700 crore. The events included the inauguration of Ayodhya Dham Junction, Maharishi Valmiki International Airport, and the flagging off of 6 Vande Bharat and 2 Amrit Bharat trains.
"Modi's guarantee has so much power because Modi does what he says. Today, the country has faith in Modi's guarantee because Modi puts in all his efforts to fulfil the guarantees he gives. This city of Ayodhya is also a witness to this," PM Modi said.
Simultaneously, the Prime Minister urged all pilgrimage sites and temples in the country to launch cleanliness campaigns from January 14 to January 22. He emphasized that Lord Ram belongs to the entire nation and asked that there be no litter around any of our temples or pilgrimage sites when he arrives.
As per temple officials, the consecration ceremony in Ayodhya's Ram Mandir will be held over seven days, starting on January 16.
On the final day, January 22, after the morning puja, the deity of Ram Lala will be consecrated in 'Mrigashira Nakshatra' in the afternoon.