Ram Mandir opening ceremony: Here's a list of people who declined the invitation

The consecration ceremony of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir, also known as the 'Pran Pratishtha' of Ram Lalla's idol, is scheduled for January 22, 2024. On the day of "pran pratishtha," over a lakh devotees are anticipated to gather in the temple town. The Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has sent invitation cards to over 6,000 individuals. (Photo: Agencies)

Ahead of the much-awaited Pran Pratishtha at Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is facing backlash from the opposition parties and top Sanatan Dharma spiritual leaders or Shankaracharyas for rushing into the inauguration of the temple. Here's a look at some prominent personalities who declined the Ram Temple consecration ceremony invitation. (Photo: Agencies)

Four spiritual gurus known as 'Shankaracharyas' have decided not to attend the consecration ceremony of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya on January 22. Most of them expressed their displeasure that the ceremony didn't follow the rules of Sanatan Dharma. (Photo: Agencies)

The Congress said that party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, his predecessor Sonia Gandhi, and Lok Sabha floor leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury will not attend the Ram temple consecration ceremony on January 22. (Photo: Agencies)

“Religion is a personal matter. But the RSS/BJP have long made a political project of the temple in Ayodhya. The inauguration of the incomplete temple by the leaders of the BJP and the RSS has been obviously brought forward for electoral gain,” the party said in a statement. (Photo: ANI)

Among the leaders who declined the invitation for the consecration ceremony is RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav. “Nahin jayenge (won’t go),” Lalu told reporters tersely when asked whether he was invited or would attend the Ayodhya event on January 22. (Photo: Agencies)

Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav announced his decision not to attend the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya as other Opposition leaders have also opted to abstain from the event. The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister conveyed his intention to visit the temple at a later date with his family. (Photo: Agencies)

Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar has also decided to not attend the pran pratistha ceremony of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. In a letter addressed to Champat Rai, the general secretary of Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra, Pawar expressed his intention to visit Ayodhya at a later date for "darshan". (Photo: Agencies)

CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury declined the invitation to attend the Ram Temple inauguration event in Ayodhya, citing the politicisation of religious beliefs. What is happening in this inauguration ceremony is that it has been converted into a state-sponsored event with the Prime Minister, Uttar Pradesh chief minister and others holding Constitutional positions," he said. (Photo: Agencies)