Nagaon, Assam: The opposition Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was stopped from visiting Assam’s Batadrava Than, the birthplace of saint Srimanta Sankardeva. This incident unfolded just a day after Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma advised Gandhi to schedule his visit to the revered site post the consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, citing the need to avoid “unnecessary competition.”

Rahul Gandhi, currently undertaking the Assam leg of his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, expressed disappointment at being prevented from visiting the place despite receiving an invitation. According to Gandhi, the authorities failed to provide any reasons for denying him access.

In a video statement, Gandhi remarked, “We were invited, and now they are telling us that we can’t visit. I think they have been pressured by the top authorities. Now we are trying if Gaurav can visit as he is the local here.”

Another video shows Gandhi questioning the police about the reasons behind his restriction. “What is the issue, brother? Can I go and see the barricades? What mistake have I made that I am not allowed inside the temple?” he added.

The incident has sparked speculation and raised questions about the nature of the decision to prevent Rahul Gandhi’s visit to Batadrava Than. Gandhi’s visit to such a culturally significant site has become a matter of contention, especially considering the earlier advice from the Chief Minister regarding the timing of the visit to the Ram Temple ceremony in Ayodhya.

As the political dynamics unfold, this development is likely to become a focal point of discussion, shedding light on the interactions between political figures and the management of religious and cultural sites in the region. The situation also brings attention to the broader context of political engagements in the state of Assam.