SHIMLA, July 8: BJP MP from Mandi, Kangana Ranaut, on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the Congress in Himachal Pradesh, accusing it of attempting to politicise the Ram Temple issue instead of addressing what she described as the state government’s failures in governance.
In a statement issued here, Ranaut alleged that the Congress was trying to draw electoral benefit from public faith despite having, in her view, opposed the construction of the Ram Temple for years. She said the people of Himachal Pradesh, as well as the rest of the country, were fully aware of the party’s “double standards” on matters linked to religion and public sentiment.
The actor turned politician said Lord Ram is deeply connected to the faith and emotions of millions of Indians and that the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya was the outcome of a long historical struggle marked by devotion, sacrifice and persistence. According to her, the temple today stands not only as a place of worship but also as a symbol of national pride and cultural identity.
Ranaut claimed that the Congress had for decades followed a politics of appeasement and had repeatedly stood in the way of the Ram Temple movement. She alleged that now, after the completion of the temple, the same party was attempting to reposition itself by invoking Lord Ram and the Ayodhya issue for political gain.
Taking aim at the Congress government in Himachal Pradesh, the Mandi MP also raised the issue of temple administration and alleged interference in the management of religious institutions. She claimed that the state government had tried to bring temple funds and resources under its control and use them for official schemes and programmes. Such actions, she said, reflected the Congress party’s attitude towards temples and faith-based institutions.
Ranaut said that in this backdrop, recent remarks by Congress leaders on the Ram Temple and religious faith appeared politically motivated rather than rooted in genuine respect for the beliefs of the people. She asserted that attempts to create a narrative around Lord Ram for electoral purposes would not succeed because voters were capable of distinguishing between faith and political opportunism.
Highlighting the BJP’s ideological stand, Ranaut said her party had consistently worked to preserve Sanatan culture, protect religious traditions and uphold India’s civilisational heritage. She maintained that the BJP does not view faith through the lens of vote-bank politics, but as an inseparable part of the country’s cultural and spiritual identity.
The BJP MP further said that people in Himachal Pradesh were more concerned about development, welfare and governance than political controversies over religion. She argued that the Congress government should focus on fulfilling the promises it made to the electorate and respond to public concerns over its performance rather than trying to divert attention through debates over matters of faith.
Ranaut said the people of the state expected accountability from the government on issues affecting daily life, and not attempts to generate political narratives around the Ram Temple. She added that the Congress must answer questions related to governance and public welfare if it wished to retain credibility among voters.
Her remarks come amid an ongoing political exchange in Himachal Pradesh over religion, temple administration and governance, with both the BJP and Congress seeking to shape the narrative ahead of future electoral contests in the state.