Fish feast at Congress's Ayodhya event sparks row, party leader defends food choice

The seers' criticism came amid heightened religious activity in Ayodhya during Sawan, when devotees undertake pilgrimages and visit temples across the city. Hanuman Garhi is one of the prominent religious sites in Ayodhya and attracts a large number of devotees.

In Short

• Saints in Ayodhya opposed reported fish preparations for Rai's welcome event
• The venue lies near Hanuman Garhi and Kanwar route, drawing criticism
• Sitaram Das called the reported feast disrespectful during the holy Sawan

A controversy has erupted in Ayodhya over a fish feast organised during a welcome programme for Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Rai, with some local religious figures objecting to the food arrangement during the holy month of Sawan. The event organiser, however, defended the choice, saying every individual has the constitutional right to eat food according to their preference.

Rai, who was in Ayodhya on Sunday, visited the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple and Hanuman Garhi before attending the welcome programme in Tarun. He also recited the Hanuman Chalisa at Hanuman Garhi.

The controversy began after a video surfaced showing fish being prepared at a banquet hall, where a welcome programme was organised for Rai, state in-charge Rajpal Gautam, national spokesperson Akhilesh Pratap Singh and Purvanchal in-charge Abhishek Dutt. The event was organised by Congress leader Ram Nihal Nishad following his joining of the party. Food arrangements had been made for a large number of people attending the programme.

The video also showed people collecting fish at the venue amid heavy rain. The downpour affected the welcome event as well as preparations for the feast. The reported fish feast drew objections from some local saints and others, particularly because it was organised during Sawan, a month considered religiously significant by Hindus.

ORGANISER DEFENDS FOOD CHOICE

Defending the arrangement, Nishad said eating food of one’s choice was an individual right under the Constitution. Referring to the Nishad community, he said fishing and eating fish were part of its traditional practices. He argued that a person’s food choices should not be questioned on the basis of whether it is Sawan, Bhadon or any other month.

The comments have triggered a debate in Ayodhya, with some people objecting to the reported feast on religious grounds, while the organisers have sought to frame the issue as one of personal choice and community tradition.

RAI ATTACKS BJP AFTER TEMPLE VISITS

After offering prayers at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi and Hanuman Garhi temples, Rai targeted the BJP government, alleging that oppression and injustice were taking place across the country.

“Today, there is oppression and injustice happening across the entire country, and the whole country is in a state of lamentation,” Rai said.

He also alleged that the BJP government had “stolen the offerings presented at Lord Ram’s court” and said he had prayed to Lord Hanuman to give wisdom to those who had allegedly stolen the temple’s money. “Action should be taken against them, and they should be sent to jail,” Rai said.

The fish feast controversy has added a fresh political flashpoint to Rai’s Ayodhya visit, with the video and the organiser’s defence fuelling debate over food choices, religious sentiments and community traditions during Sawan.

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With inputs from Mayank Shukla