Congress Protests Erupt as Ajay Rai Detained in Ayodhya

Congress representative Lalan Kumar stated that the delegation intended to visit the sacred site and confer with regional party members before police intervened. Supporters have since gathered outside the Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, vowing to maintain their protest until authorities grant the group freedom of movement.

In a video message recorded from his confinement, Rai accused the police of harassment and deliberate obstruction of his religious pilgrimage. He characterized the detention as an attempt to silence opposition, a sentiment echoed by his wife, Rina Rai, who publicly condemned the government’s tactics. The standoff highlights a sharp divide over access to the temple, with Congress leadership framing the restriction as a direct infringement on their right to worship.