Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra comes out after offering prayer at Bade Hanuman temple in Prayagraj (File)

After walking a tightrope on commenting politically on the groundbreaking ceremony of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, the Congress finally made its stance clear, with Priyanka Gandhi Vadra calling the event a “marker” of national unity, brotherhood and cultural harmony.

In a statement ahead of the ‘bhoomi poojan’ of the Ram temple on Wednesday, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the chief guest, Priyanka Gandhi said for ages Lord Ram’s character had served as a source of unity for the entire Indian sub-continent.

“Ramayana has left an indelible mark on the civilization of the world and the Indian sub-continent. For ages, Lord Ram’s character has helped the Indian sub-continent….Lord Ram belongs to everybody. Lord Ram wants everybody’s welfare. That is why he is called ‘Maryada Purshottam’,” she said in a tweet.

“The groundbreaking ceremony of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya has been scheduled for August 5. Hope this event becomes a marker of national unity, brotherhood and cultural harmony in accordance with the message of Lord Ram and with his blessings,” she also said in her message.

Last November, the Congress had welcomed the Supreme judgment on the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title suit case and declared that it was in favour of construction of a Ram Temple. But the party has been virtually silent now.

“The story of Lord Rama, Mother Sita and Ramayana has been illuminated in our cultural and religious memories for thousands of years, like Prakashunj. Indian Manisha has been inspired by the themes of Ramayana, religion, policy, duty, sacrifice, sublime, love, valor and service. From north to south, east to west, Ramakatha has been expressing itself in many forms. Like the countless forms of Srihari, Ramakatha Harikatha is Ananta,” Priyanka said.

A Congress spokesperson last week said the party avoided getting drawn into questions about leaders like PM Modi attending the event amid the pandemic, saying the decision on “the participants, the methodology, the infrastructure, the decision solely rests with the trust and the concerned individuals, who have been invited to participate on this holy occasion”.