Ahead of Ram Mandir ‘bhumi pujan’, BJP shares video of Indira Gandhi’s speech aired in 1980

Vibha Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 3

Ahead of the Ram Mandir ‘bhumi pujan’, the BJP on Sunday shared an old video of former prime minister Indira Gandhi’s speech at Deoband, aired on state-run Doordarshan in 1980, to slam those objecting to the live telecast of the event at Ayodhya on August 5, in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate.

In the broadcast, Indira Gandhi can be heard saying: “Darul Uloom will continue to serve India and the world in true Islamic tradition.”

“What do people opposing the telecast of the bhumi pujan for the Ram Temple on DD have to say about the DD broadcasting Indira’s visit to Deoband?” the BJP said, sharing the video of Indira Gandhi’s speech.

“Darul Uloom will continue to serve India and the world in true Islamic tradition.”

Rare video of Indira Gandhi’s speech at Deoband in 1980.

What do people opposing the telecast of Bhumi Pujan for the Ram Temple on DD have to say about DD broadcasting Indira’s visit to Deoband? pic.twitter.com/4vBAzV8KZm

— BJP (@BJP4India) August 2, 2020

Notably, some Left parties like the CPI have protested against the telecast of the foundation laying ceremony of the Ram Mandir by DD, asking the Central Government not to air the event live.

It argued that the use of Doordarshan to broadcast the religious function is against the accepted norms of national integrity.

AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi has also been questioning whether the Prime Minister of a secular state should attend a religious ceremony.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi should not attend it in his official capacity but can do so as an individual, Owaisi said.

Preparations for the foundation stone-laying ceremony are in full swing in Ayodhya where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone on Wednesday.