New Delhi, November 12, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) and the Ramlila Mahasangh have demanded apologies from Trinamool Congress MP Kirti Azad and Congress MP Imran Masood over their reported remarks concerning Lord Ram and Diwali, saying the statements had hurt the religious sentiments of millions.
CTI Chairman Brijesh Goyal criticised Azad for reportedly saying that he would never visit the Ram Temple in Ayodhya because Lord Ram had abandoned Sita despite her undergoing the Agni Pariksha. Goyal said the remarks had upset devotees and that the organisation had written to Trinamool Congress president Mamata Banerjee, seeking Azad’s withdrawal of the statement and an expression of regret.
The CTI has also asked Banerjee to clarify whether Azad’s remarks represent the party’s official position. Goyal said differences in religious beliefs should not become a reason to disrespect the faith of others, adding that Lord Ram and Sita hold an equally revered place in Hindu tradition.
The organisation also highlighted Ayodhya’s growing religious tourism economy, claiming that annual visitor numbers rose from around 1.7 million before the construction of the Ram Temple to 164 million in 2024 and nearly 200 million in 2025.
According to CTI, the number of restaurants in the city has increased from about 200 to nearly 2,000, while rickshaws and e-rickshaws have grown from around 500 to 17,000. It also cited more than 1,200 homestays, over 1.2 lakh new jobs and investments of approximately Rs 85,000 crore under Ayodhya’s Master Plan 2031.
Goyal said traders and small businesses dependent on religious tourism were concerned that remarks hurting religious sentiments could affect their livelihoods.
Separately, he criticised Congress MP Imran Masood for reportedly describing Diwali as a “man-made disease”. The CTI urged senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to take up the matter and either seek action against Masood or ask him to apologise.
Ramlila Mahasangh president Arjun Kumar also condemned the remarks and announced that neither MP would be invited to or allowed entry into Ramlila events organised by the body in Delhi or elsewhere in the country.
Kumar said such statements hurt the sentiments of artists, organisers and people associated with the annual religious and cultural celebrations.
The CTI called on political leaders across parties to exercise restraint when commenting on religious figures, beliefs and festivals.
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