Moily questions PM Modi's 11-day fast, cites concerns on Ram Mandir's sanctum

File image of senior Congress leader and former Karnataka CM Veerappa Moily

Senior Congress leader Veerappa Moily on January 23 cast doubt on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's claim of fasting for 11 days to purify himself for the Pran Pratishtha, the temple consecration ceremony in Ayodhya.

If Modi has not fasted for 11 days, then he has rendered the sanctum sanctorum 'apavitra' (impure)," stated Moily, as reported by CNN-News18. These comments followed the consecration ceremony in Ayodhya, marking the temple's inauguration.

"He (Modi) claims to have fasted for 11 days. During my morning walk, I asked a doctor about it. He said a human cannot survive by fasting for that long," the news channel quoted Moily as saying.

"I have doubts about how he fasted. If he hasn't fasted and entered the sanctum sanctorum, then the place has been made 'apavitra' (impure) and it won't have the same kind of energy," the former Karnataka chief minister further reportedly said.

Reacting to his statement, senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader BC Nagesh accused the Congress of making baseless allegations.

"Congress is trying to satisfy its people with this kind of statement. They are ready to make any kind of allegations to sway voters. But people will reject their baseless allegations against Prime Minister Modi," Nagesh said while speaking to CNN-News 18.

Meanwhile, the Ram temple was opened up for common people earlier today. A day earlier, the consecration rituals were performed in the presence of around 7,000 guests, which comprised prominent personalities spreading across various fields of life.

The Congress, which is the country's principal opposition party, had rejected the invitation, saying that the temple inauguration ceremony has been turned into a "BJP-RSS political event".