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New Delhi, 2015.09.15 (TNN, Subodh Gildiyal): Will Rahul Gandhi make Mathura his third quick visit to a top Hindu temple since his renewed political engagement post-sabbatical?
Congress has urged its vice-president to pay a “darshan” at the famed Lord Krishna temple in Vrindavan, known as the birthplace of the Hindu deity, when he presides over the political brainstorming of the party’s UP unit on September 21. Rahul is likely to have a tight schedule on September 20-22, leading to uncertainty over the temple visit.
But if the organizers are keen on “Krishna darshan”, it is in line with recent manoeuvres on Congress’s part.
A Mathura temple visit would come on the back of Rahul’s famous trek to Kedarnath in April, followed by a visit to Kheer Bhavani temple in Kashmir in August. The two shrines fall in the A-list of Hindu faith as does Vrindavan. He also visited Hazratbal shrine associated with Muslims.
It is set to deepen the perception that Congress is seeking an image makeover since the success of Narendra Modi-led BJP in effecting a religious polarization to the disadvantage of the “secular” rival. Many view it as a tricky challenge for the party that once balanced its “secular” ideology with “soft Hindutva” — remembered by old-timers in the symbolism of “rudrakash” and “temples” adopted by Indira Gandhi.
Since the Lok Sabha defeat, Congress has seen a debate on the need to shed the tag of a pro-minority outfit, triggered by top veteran A K Antony and followed by statements of AICC general secretary Shakeel Ahmed.
Rahul’s return to the political scene after a two-month sabbatical abroad appears to have pressed the reset. His visit to Kedarnath on foot surprised partymen and observers alike, given that the temple is the holiest of Hindu shrines while the heir apparent had never made a public show of religion. He said “I felt a fire-like energy” in the temple.
The obeisance at Kheer Bhavani temple in Ganderbal last month was as significant politically. The Hindus in Jammu region polarized in favour of BJP in the Lok Sabha elections, followed by their equally strong backing for the saffron outfit in assembly polls. Congress was routed on both the occasions in Jammu which has traditionally been its strong turf.
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