Congress Ram Yatra stopped on BJP plaint

The Congress' much-publicised chariot journey to trace the mythical route that Lord Rama is supposed to have taken during his 14-year exile was abruptly stopped in the Dindori district of Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday night.

The police seized the chariot on the district administration's directive following a BJP leader’s complaint alleging a violation of the Model Code of Conduct, which came into force on October 6.

Congress state president Kamal Nath had announced the 'Ram-Van-Path-Gaman' last month.

It was launched last week under the leadership of its convenor, Harishankar Shukla.

The project was essentially conceptualised and executed to highlight the Shivraj Singh government's alleged failure to keep the decade-old promise of constructing a religious tourism circuit, covering the important places in Madhya Pradesh through which Lord Rama is believed to have traversed during his exile.

Shukla told newsmen in Jabalpur that he and some members who were journey were having dinner at a dhaba when two policemen came and seized the chariot. It was later parked in a police station.

"We were told that the yatra was violating the prohibitory order as 10 members were riding on it," he said.

"If it was a violation of section 144 of the CrPC, will the administration also stop processions to mark immersion of the Durga idols on completion of nine days of the Navratri?" he said.

Shukla categorically said he was not a political journey.

However, Dindori Sub Divisional Magistrate Amit Kumar Bamhoria said the chariot was seized on the complaint of BJP district vice president Tekeshwar Sahu.

He had complained that using the chariot journey, Congress leaders were exploiting religious feelings for the party's election campaign.