Even as Rahul Gandhi’s claimed that he was stopped from entering the Vaishanvite monastery in Assam, the head of Barpeta Satra on Monday dismissed Congress VP’s claims and said that there was no RSS agent in the religious place.
Rahul claimed that he was stopped from entering a temple in Barpeta by RSS workers during his recent visit to Assam, saying this was BJP’s style of politics which was “unacceptable”.
Rahul was interacting with reporters while taking part in a protest by the Congress outside Parliament House over the law and order situation in Punjab.
“When I went to Assam I wanted to visit a temple in Barpeta district. And at the temple the RSS people they stopped me entering the temple. This is the way the BJP operates. They made the woman there stand in front of me and told me that I cannot enter into the temple,” he said, and asked, “Who are they to stop me?”.
“There is no RSS agent in the Satra. It is a religious place and only religious activities are undertaken here. Where does politics come into the Satra?,” Sarma said while speaking to reporters. The women here are simple people and they come twice a day for participating in the community prayers in the Satra.
“They were only waiting at the Satra gate to see Rahul Gandhi. They do not know anything about politics,” Sarma said.
Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi had alleged on Sunday that the BJP and RSS conspired to stop Rahul Gandhi from entering the temple, as he faced questions on how Mr. Gandhi was barred in a state ruled by his own party.
The Congress leader reportedly planned to begin a padyatra or march on Friday after praying at the temple, but was allegedly not allowed to. Reports suggested that local people were upset that Mr. Gandhi had not visited the temple.
“The RSS and BJP orchestrated the gathering that blocked Rahul Gandhi’s entry into the temple. We have ordered an inquiry. The state government and administration didn’t want a disturbance as thousands were there for Mr. Gandhi’s yatra,” said Congress lawmaker Gaurav Gogoi, the son of the Chief Minister.
