PM Narendra Modi likens fight for temple to freedom struggle

In what was described as a historic occasion of the country by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the ‘bhoomi pujan’ of a Supreme Court mandated Ram Temple in Ayodhya, took place on August 5, in the midst of COVID-19 spread.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath were among those who attended the event at the site where a large number of devout Hindus believe Lord Ram was born.

The guest list, including religious leaders, who was part of the movement that started in the 1980s, was restricted to 175 in view of the COVID-19 crisis. The seating arrangements were made in accordance with covid protocols.

As a priest chanted Sanskrit ‘shlokas’ and the ground-breaking ceremony got under way under a giant marquee decorated in shades of reds and yellows, Modi and the other dignitaries, all in masks, maintained social distancing and sat a safe distance away from each other.

The Prime Minister laid down a silver brick to mark the foundation ceremony of Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his speech said that the wait of centuries has ended. The construction of the Ram temple, he said, is an instrument to unite the country. The Ram temple construction will lift the economy of the entire region, he said. The prime minister unveiled a plaque and released a commemorative postal stamp.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi through Twitter said Lord Ram is a manifestation of the best human qualities.

In a tweet, Rahul Gandhi wrote in Hindi, he said, “Lord Ram is the manifestation of the best human qualities. They are the core of humanity in the depths of our mind.”

“Ram is love. It can never appear in disgust; Ram is compassion. It can never appear cruel; Ram is justice. It can never appear in injustice,” Rahul Gandhi wrote on Twitter.

Ahead of the ceremony, Ayodhya has been decked up and painted in yellow- an auspicious colour of knowledge and learning. In the eve of the ceremony, all local temples started a continuous Akhand Ramayan recitation with temples and homes being lit as in Diwali. The same will continue August 5 night.