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UP Congress to boycott TV debates with Ayodhya priest after abuse
The Uttar Pradesh Congress unit has announced it will boycott TV debates featuring Ayodhya's Hanuman Garhi Temple priest Raju Das, accusing him of abusing and threatening party spokesperson Kunwar Singh Nishad during…
The Uttar Pradesh Congress unit has announced it will boycott TV debates featuring Ayodhya's Hanuman Garhi Temple priest Raju Das, accusing him of abusing and threatening party spokesperson Kunwar Singh Nishad during a live debate on Doordarshan News on Monday.
UP Congress media department chairman CP Rai said Das used obscene language against Nishad, including abusing his mother and issuing threats. Rai claimed the two women anchors were stunned and the debate had to be stopped midway, calling the incident 'shameful and unforgivable'.
The Congress has demanded an impartial examination of the original recording and digital evidence, and called for strict legal action if the allegations are proved. The controversy comes amid a row over an alleged fish feast at a Nishad community event in Ayodhya attended by UP Congress chief Ajay Rai during the Hindu holy month of Sawan, which BJP leaders had criticised.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The Congress boycott of a specific panellist is an unusual step that signals the party is drawing a line on personal attacks in public discourse, especially with an eye on Uttar Pradesh's politically sensitive caste equations. The Nishad community, a large OBC group with significant presence in eastern UP, is a key constituency both the Congress and BJP are courting. The original dispute over the fish feast during Sawan touches on religious sentiment and dietary customs, making it a flashpoint. The Doordarshan debate was meant to discuss that issue but spiralled into personal abuse. The Congress's call for an impartial inquiry into the broadcast recording could force Doordarshan, a public broadcaster under the government, to release footage, which would determine whether the priest or the party spokesperson is seen as the aggressor.
The Election Commission or a court may eventually be asked to rule on the broadcast standards if the matter escalates.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
