New Delhi, August 25, 2026: The Uttar Pradesh Congress has announced that its spokespersons will no longer participate in television debates featuring Raju Das, the priest of Ayodhya’s Hanuman Garhi Temple. The decision follows a reported confrontation during a live television programme in which Congress spokesperson Kunwar Singh Nishad was allegedly subjected to abusive language and threats.
The controversy unfolded during a debate aired by Doordarshan News on Monday. According to Uttar Pradesh Congress media department chairman and former minister CP Rai, the exchange crossed what the party described as acceptable limits of public and political discourse. Rai alleged that Das used obscene and abusive language against Nishad and also made threats during the programme.
The incident reportedly became so disruptive that the debate had to be stopped midway. Congress said the two women anchors present during the programme were also taken aback by the exchange. The party subsequently described the episode as “shameful and unforgivable” and announced its decision to keep its representatives away from future television debates involving the priest.
Congress seeks review of broadcast evidence
Rather than limiting its response to the boycott, the Congress has called for an impartial examination of the programme’s original recording, video footage and other digital evidence. The party said that if the allegations against Das are established, appropriate action should be taken according to law.
Rai stressed that Congress workers are not afraid of criticism or heated political disagreement. However, he argued that political differences should be settled through arguments and democratic debate rather than personal insults, abuse or threats.
The party’s position reflects a broader concern about the increasingly confrontational nature of television political debates, where representatives of rival parties and public figures frequently engage in highly charged exchanges. Congress has sought to frame the incident as a question of basic standards of public conduct rather than simply another political disagreement.
Dispute comes amid Ayodhya political controversy
The latest confrontation comes against the backdrop of another political dispute in Ayodhya involving a purported fish feast at an event attended by Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Rai.
The issue became politically sensitive because the event was reported to have taken place during Sawan, a period considered particularly significant by many Hindus. BJP leaders and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath criticised the Congress over the controversy.
The Congress, however, has rejected the allegation that Ajay Rai ate fish at the event. Ajay Rai challenged his critics to produce photographic or video evidence showing him eating fish or being present at the location where the food was allegedly prepared. He said he would apologise and resign as state Congress president if such evidence were produced.
The party has also defended the food traditions associated with the Nishad community, arguing that cultural practices should not automatically be turned into political controversies.
What the boycott means
The decision to boycott debates involving Raju Das is primarily a political and media strategy. Television debates have become an important platform for political parties to communicate their positions, challenge opponents and reach large audiences. By withdrawing its spokespersons from programmes featuring Das, the Congress is seeking to register its objection to what it considers unacceptable conduct.
At the same time, the party has left open the possibility of an objective examination of the incident. Its demand for the original footage and digital evidence indicates that Congress wants the allegations to be assessed on the basis of the broadcast record rather than solely through competing political claims.
The controversy also highlights the difficulty of maintaining productive political debate when disagreements become personal. Congress has argued that criticism of its policies or political positions is legitimate, but personal abuse and alleged threats cross a different line.
For now, the dispute remains centred on the reported television confrontation and the competing political narratives surrounding it. The Congress has made clear that its spokespersons will not share debate platforms with Raju Das, while also calling for evidence-based scrutiny of what occurred during the programme.
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