New Delhi [India], August 24 : Hanuman Garhi Mahant Raju Das on Monday slammed Uttar Pradesh Congress President Ajay Rai over an alleged fish feast at a programme in Ayodhya, alleging that people like Rai have been "anti-Sanatan" from the very beginning.
Speaking to ANI, Das criticised Rai over his participation in the programme following his visit to the temple.
"Those who used to dismiss Lord Ram as a figment of imagination and who opposed the Ram Mandir, today, are seen sporting Tripund and Tilak marks, chanting 'Ram Ram'. Such a drastic change! What were they doing when they held power?" Raju Das said.
He called the event following Rai's temple visit deplorable, alleging that non-vegetarian food was distributed there.
"They have been anti-Sanatan from the very beginning; that is the mindset ingrained in them, so what can the poor souls do? After all, the fish dish would only be prepared if they had asked for it; it would not be made without their instruction. They are fundamentally people of a malicious nature," he said.
Meanwhile, Congress leader Shakeel Ahmad Khan defended Rai and said the controversy was being used to divert attention from issues such as unemployment and concerns of the youth.
"During the West Bengal elections, several BJP leaders were photographed eating fish. Then there is the Nishad community, who have their own distinct dietary habits and culinary traditions," Khan said.
He said the controversy over Rai's visit and the food served at the programme had no significance and that the focus should remain on the national agenda raised by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
"What truly matters to the country is the issue of unemployment and the youth. The BJP wants the issue to keep escalating and to divert attention elsewhere. We do not wish to deviate from the core issue. The focus remains on the national agenda raised by Rahul Gandhi," he said.
Speaking to ANI, Congress leader Sandeep Dixit also defended Rai, saying that an individual's choice of food was a personal matter.
"What someone chooses to eat or not eat is a personal matter. However, my information is that he attended a function organized by the Nishad community; neither he nor anyone else consumed it," Dixit said.
He said the Nishad community had its own dietary traditions and that Rai had not consumed the food allegedly being prepared at the venue.
"To the best of my knowledge, the Nishad community does consume fish and rice. That is a distinct characteristic of that community. You are targeting the Congress party, yet nothing was consumed there; in fact, he didn't even eat rice himself," he said.
The controversy comes after Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched an attack on Rai over the alleged fish feast at a programme in Ayodhya.
Earlier, while addressing a gathering in Raebareli, Yogi accused Rai of "duplicity" by visiting Hanumangarhi to offer prayers and subsequently attending a programme where fish was allegedly served.
"You saw the behaviour of the Congress state president: he goes to offer prayers at Hanumangarhi, but later outside he enjoys a feast of fish. He could have eaten whatever he wanted outside, anywhere other than Ayodhya. Yet, this is the duplicity they display," Yogi said.
Yogi also criticised the Congress party's political conduct and its approach towards religion and law and order. He also levelled allegations against Rai over his alleged conduct in connection with a past incident involving a mafia figure.
The remarks came after Rai attended a programme in Ayodhya organised by members of the Nishad community. The alleged fish feast subsequently became a political issue, with the BJP and Congress trading accusations over the event.
Responding to Yogi's criticism, Rai rejected the allegation and challenged the Chief Minister to provide photographic evidence.
"The CM is criticising; does the CM have any photos? If he can produce any pictures, I will be ready to resign immediately," Rai said.
Explaining his presence at the Ayodhya event, the Congress state president said that he had been invited by the Nishad Samaj to attend the programme.