Congress MLA's remarks on Ram Lalla Idol's colour ignite debate in Uttarakhand Assembly

• Congress MLA's remark on Ram Lalla idol's colour sparks debate in Uttarakhand Assembly
• Heated exchange between Congress and BJP legislators during the UCC Bill discussion
• Controversial comments prompt Speaker's intervention to refocus on the legislative agenda

A controversial remark by Congress MLA Adesh Singh Chauhan during a discussion on the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill in the Uttarakhand Assembly sparked a heated exchange between legislators. Chauhan questioned the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the colour of the Ram Lalla idol installed in the new temple in Ayodhya.

Referring to Hindu scriptures, Chauhan claimed that Ram was 'sanwala' (dusky), suggesting that the idol in Ayodhya was made black by the BJP. The comment led to strong reactions from BJP ministers and legislators, with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Premchand Aggarwal demanding that Chauhan focus on the UCC bill and refrain from making insulting remarks about Lord Ram. The row subsided after Speaker Ritu Khanduri intervened, urging Chauhan to stay on topic.

Inaugurated on January 22, the Ayodhya Ram temple's consecration ceremony was presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The controversial remarks in the Assembly come in the context of the ongoing discussions surrounding the UCC Bill.

The Ram Lalla idol, referred to as "Balak Ram," stands at 51 inches and was crafted by sculptor Arun Yogiraj from Mysuru, using a three-billion-year-old rock known as Krishna Shile. The temple has since become a pilgrimage site, attracting devotees from various parts of India and around the world.