Robert Vadra, husband of Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, has defended the decision of Amethi MP Rahul Gandhi not to attend the Mahakumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. He said that his family does not believe in the public performance of religious events and the devotees may be troubled by MPs like Rahul Gandhi participating in such events.
Vadra said in a conversation with IANS, “If we had gone to Mahakumbh, devotees could have trouble due to VIP system. We can go there anytime. We do not do any work to show the public. We do not need to show how secular we are.”
He added, “I believe that we should not participate in religious activities for public performance nor should be involved in the politics of appearance. Therefore, I believe that Rahul Gandhi does not take religious trips for public performance. He can go to any holy place whenever he wants and there should be no problem.”
The Mahakumbh Mela was a 45 -day religious event. It was organized in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. The event took place after 12 years and ended on 26 February. According to government data, more than 66 crore people took a dip in the holy water. Many big leaders, including President Draupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and celebrities from different fields also took a bath.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi faced criticism for not attending the Mahakumbh Mela. BJP leader Amit Malviya taunted, “More than 66 crore people from different parts of the country and the world attended this great religious festival, but the ‘descendants’ Rahul Gandhi of Congress did not participate in Mahakumbh. It is natural that a Christian mother and Parsi father’s son will not believe in this ancient Hindu festival. Rahul Gandhi did not even visit Ramlala temple.”
