Politics

Akhilesh Yadav Plans Ram Temple Visit on December 12, Says Brahmin Consultation Done

By PTI

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav confirmed that he will visit Ayodhya’s Ram Temple next month. In a statement to reporters, Yadav said that Pawan Pandey, a former Ayodhya MLA, had consulted members of the Brahmin community, examined the nakshatras and used astronomical knowledge to determine a specific date and time for the visit. According to Pandey, Yadav and his wife, MP Dimple Yadav, will visit the Ram Temple and the Hanumangarhi Temple on December 12. This would be Yadav’s first visit to the Ram Temple since its inauguration in January 2024; his last trip to Ayodhya was in October 2026 for a religious katha, not to the temple. The announcement has intensified political debate in Uttar Pradesh. The ruling BJP has criticised Yadav for not visiting the temple, accusing him of “appeasement politics,” while Yadav has accused the BJP and Sangh outfits of “chanda chori” at the temple. Yadav has said the visit will occur only after the completion of the Kedareshwar Dham in Etawah, a project started by his government. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and UP BJP chief Pankaj Chaudhary have called for an apology before the temple is visited, suggesting a December 6 visit instead of December 12. The Babri Masjid, which now houses the temple, was demolished by kar sevaks led by the VHP on December 6, 1992.