Archive · 24 Aug 2026
Fish Feast Allegation at Ayodhya Congress Event Sparks Sawan Row
A Congress leader named Ajay Rai visited temples in Ayodhya during the Hindu month of Sawan.
A welcome event was later held for him in Tarun Bazar.
A video on social media allegedly shows fish being prepared at the event.
Some Hindu religious leaders and BJP politicians said this disrespected religious traditions.
They asked Congress and Rai to explain what happened and apologise.
The event organiser said people have a constitutional right to choose what they eat.
A Congress district leader said he did not know about the alleged fish feast.
He added that the organisation could take action if a worker had caused offence.
Congress has not given a detailed response to the video or claims about the amount of fish.
A purported social-media video allegedly shows fish being prepared for a Congress welcome programme in Tarun Bazar, Ayodhya.
The event welcomed Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Rai after his visits to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple and Hanuman Garhi during Sawan.
Sants and BJP leaders called the alleged feast an insult to Sanatan traditions and demanded an apology or explanation.
The organiser, identified in reports as Ram Nihal Nishad and Ram Milan Nishad, defended food choice as a constitutional right.
Congress district president Chet Narayan Singh said he was unaware of the alleged feast and said action could follow if a worker harmed the party’s reputation.
- Who
- Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Rai, Congress organisers and workers, Hindu religious leaders, and BJP politicians including Ved Prakash Gupta and Kamlesh Srivastava.
- What
- A purported fish feast at a Congress welcome programme triggered criticism over alleged disrespect to Sanatan traditions.
- When
- On Sunday during the Hindu holy month of Sawan; one report said the event was held on Ekadashi.
- Where
- A welcome programme in Tarun Bazar, Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh.
- Why
- Critics objected to serving fish during a religiously significant period, while the organiser defended individual food choice as constitutionally protected.
Congress organiser’s defence
Sants and BJP criticism
Food choice during Sawan
Congress organiser’s defence
The organiser said the Constitution does not prohibit eating fish during Sawan and that individuals may choose their food.
Sants and BJP criticism
Sants and BJP leaders said serving fish during Sawan and Ekadashi insulted Sanatan traditions and devotees’ sentiments.
Meaning of the event
Congress organiser’s defence
The organiser presented the food choice as an exercise of constitutional rights, while Chet Narayan Singh said he had no information about the alleged feast.
Sants and BJP criticism
Critics described the incident as evidence of an alleged anti-Sanatan mindset and accused Congress of appeasement politics.
Responsibility and response
Congress organiser’s defence
Singh said action could be taken if a Congress worker had done something that harmed Sanatan traditions; Congress has not confirmed the video or fish-quantity claims.
Sants and BJP criticism
Religious leaders demanded that Congress explain the event and that Ajay Rai issue a public apology.
- Event
- Congress welcome programme for Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Rai
- Location
- Tarun Bazar, Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh
- Religious context
- The alleged feast took place during Sawan; one report said it was on Ekadashi
- Evidence
- A purported social-media video allegedly shows fish being prepared at the venue
- Fish quantity claim
- Claims that more than two quintals of fish were arranged were not confirmed by Congress
- Organiser
- Reports identify the organiser as Ram Nihal Nishad and, elsewhere, Ram Milan Nishad
- Congress response
- Chet Narayan Singh said he was unaware of the alleged feast and that action could be taken if a worker brought disrepute to Sanatan traditions
- Ajay Rai’s remarks
- After temple visits, Rai criticised alleged oppression and injustice and accused the BJP government of mishandling temple offerings
