'Shameful': UP Congress to boycott TV debates with Ayodhya priest after spokesperson abused

NEW DELHI: Uttar Pradesh Congress unit on Tuesday announced that none of its spokespersons will participate in TV debates with Ayodhya’s Hanuman Garhi Temple priest Raju Das, accusing him of abusing and threatening party spokesperson Kunwar Singh Nishad during a live debate.UP Congress media department chairman and former minister CP Rai said Das crossed “all limits of decency” during a debate on Doordarshan News on Monday.In a statement, the party alleged that Das used obscene and abusive language against Nishad, including abusing his mother and issuing threats.”The two women anchors of DD News who were part of the debate were also stunned, and the debate had to be stopped midway,” Rai said, describing the incident as “shameful and unforgivable”.The Congress also demanded an impartial examination of the original recording, video footage and digital evidence of the programme. It said strict action should be taken according to law if the allegations are found to be true.The Congress said political differences should be addressed through arguments and not personal abuse or threats.

“Congress workers are not afraid of abuse. We believe in the Constitution and the law, and believe in answering every question democratically,” Rai said.The controversy comes amid a political row over a purported fish feast at a Nishad community event in Ayodhya, attended by UP Congress chief Ajay Rai during the Hindu holy month of Sawan.The Bharatiya Janata Party and chief minister Yogi Adityanath had attacked Rai over the alleged feast, while the Congress has maintained that there was no proof that its state president had eaten fish.Rai had challenged Adityanath to produce a photograph or video showing him eating fish or being present at the place where it was cooked. He said he would apologise and resign as state Congress president if such evidence was produced.The Congress has defended the food traditions of the Nishad community, while BJP leaders have criticised the alleged consumption of fish during Sawan in Ayodhya.