Terming Congress functionaries’ black shirt protest ‘appeasement politics’, home minister Amit Shah said it deliberately chose the colour and the second anniversary of Ram Mandir construction to convey its opposition to its restoration. “ED action and price rise are just excuses. Since it couldn’t afford to openly convey its opposition to the temple, it tried to put across the message subtly,” he said. Jairam Ramesh, head of Congress’s media cell, accused Shah of giving a “malicious twist” to their agitation.