Two Shankaracharyas to Skip Ram Temple Consecration, Cite 'Political Angle'

The decision has sparked controversy and given ammunition to the opposition, while some Congress leaders have indicated they will attend despite party leaders' refusal.

Two of the four Shankaracharyas, the most important Hindu religious leaders, have decided not to attend the consecration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, citing failure to follow norms and a 'political angle' to the event.
The Shankaracharyas of the Govardhana Peetha in Odisha's Puri and the Jyotir Mutt in Uttarakhand's Chamoli have said they will not attend, citing, among other reasons, the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the sanctum sanctorum.
The opposition has used the decision of the two Shankaracharyas not to attend as ammunition to attack the BJP, which has pitched the consecration of the Ayodhya Ram Temple as a landmark politico-religious event.
Senior leaders of the Uttar Pradesh Congress have indicated that they will attend the consecration event, despite their Central leaders' refusal to attend.
Union Minister Narayan Rane has called on the Shankaracharyas to bless rather than criticise the Ram Temple event.