New Delhi: A fresh political controversy has erupted after senior Congress leader Nana Patole compared Rahul Gandhi to Lord Ram while responding to questions about the Congress leader’s absence from the newly constructed Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) strongly condemned the remark, calling it “sycophancy pro max” and an insult to Hindu faith, while the Congress has so far not issued any official clarification on Patole’s statement.
What Nana Patole said
The controversy began when Nana Patole, a senior Congress leader from Maharashtra, was asked why Rahul Gandhi had not visited the Ram Temple since its inauguration. In response, Patole said that Rahul Gandhi was “doing the work of Lord Ram”.
“Because Lord Ram’s work was to ensure justice for the harassed and deprived, Rahul Gandhi is doing the same. He likes to do this service instead of doing a photo session at the Ram Temple,” Patole said, taking an indirect swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Patole also recalled the role of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in the Ram Temple movement, stating that it was during his tenure that the locks of the Ram Janmabhoomi site were opened, allowing devotees to offer prayers.
A video clip of Patole’s remarks, shared by news agency Press Trust of India on social media, quickly went viral, triggering sharp reactions from BJP leaders and supporters.
BJP calls remarks an insult to Hindu faith
The BJP reacted swiftly, accusing the Congress of indulging in excessive flattery of the Gandhi family while simultaneously disrespecting Hindu beliefs. BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said the comparison reflected the Congress party’s long-standing culture of sycophancy.
“Once again, the Congress Party has shown sycophancy pro max. The Congress Party says that Rahul Gandhi is like Lord Ram. Just recently, they said Sonia Gandhi was the reason why Christmas can be celebrated. What kind of sycophancy is this?” Poonawalla said.
He further alleged that the Congress had consistently opposed the Ram Temple project and continued to mock religious sentiments. “This is the same Congress Party that said Ram Mandir should not be built. This is the same Congress Party that said the Ram Mandir Prana Pratishtha was ‘naach gaana’. They keep attacking and insulting the Hindu faith,” he added.
CR Kesavan’s sharp attack
BJP spokesperson C R Kesavan also launched a scathing attack on Nana Patole, calling the remark an “unforgivable, grievous insult” to the sentiments of crores of Hindu devotees.
“Nana Patole comparing Lord Ram to Rahul Gandhi is an unforgivable, grievous insult to the faith and sentiments of crores of Hindu devotees,” Kesavan said in a post on social media.
Kesavan further questioned whether Patole would ever ask Rahul Gandhi about his past remarks on the Ram Temple consecration ceremony. “Will Nana Patole dare to ask Rahul Gandhi why he mocked the ‘Praan Pratishtha’ ceremony as ‘naach gaana’ or why he has still not visited the Ram Temple?” he asked.
He also recalled Patole’s earlier controversial statements, alleging that the Congress leader had once demanded “shuddhikaran” (purification) of the Ram Temple after President Droupadi Murmu visited the shrine. “Nana Patole’s disgraceful remarks and devious mindset are indefensible and most condemnable,” Kesavan said.
Congress silent, BJP keeps pressure on
The Congress leadership has not officially responded to the controversy so far. However, the party has previously maintained that matters of faith are personal and that visits to religious places should not be politicised.
The BJP, meanwhile, has repeatedly targeted Rahul Gandhi over his absence from the Ram Temple since its inauguration, using it as a political weapon to question the Congress’ commitment to Hindu sentiments. Party leaders have often contrasted this with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s prominent role in the temple’s consecration ceremony.
Ram Temple remains a key political flashpoint
The Ram Temple in Ayodhya continues to be a sensitive and emotive issue in Indian politics. While the BJP has positioned itself as the principal architect of the temple’s construction, the Congress has walked a cautious line, seeking to avoid alienating either its secular support base or Hindu voters.
Remarks such as Patole’s have, however, complicated that balancing act, providing ammunition to political opponents. Analysts say such statements risk overshadowing the Congress’ broader political messaging and shifting focus back to controversies around religion and identity.
Conclusion
Nana Patole’s comparison of Rahul Gandhi to Lord Ram has reignited a fierce political debate, with the BJP accusing the Congress of both sycophancy and disrespect towards Hindu faith. As the row escalates, the Congress faces mounting pressure to clarify its stand, even as the Ram Temple issue once again takes centre stage in the political discourse ahead of upcoming electoral battles.