Modi has urged Sangh Parivar to avoid controversial statements on Ram temple: Trust official

Ravi S. Singh
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, February 21

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged the Sangh Parivar and other votaries of the construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya to avoid statements which could stoke social disharmony, Shri Ram Janambhoomi Teerath Kshetra Trust general secretary said on Friday.

Champat Rai said that Modi conveyed this during a meeting with a four-member team of the recently constituted 15-member trust last Thursday. The trust is also known as Ayodhya Ram Mandir Trust.

Rai quoted Modi as saying: “Carry out the task of temple construction in a peaceful manner”.

“Do not make utterances which create ill-will in society. Do not injure anyone’s feelings,” said Modi, according to Rai.

Modi urged the members to construct the temple with all sincerity and with a “rightful attitude and positive conduct” which would foster “peace and amity” in society. 

Talking to reporters, Rai, who is the national vice-president of VHP said:“ Modiji is right”.

Rai said during the first meeting of the trust last Wednesday, resolutions were passed expressing gratitude to the Prime Minister, the Union government, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the UP government, and those who took part in the “struggle during the past 500 years for construction of the temple.”

Rai did not provide a time-frame for the completion of the proposed temple and quelled speculation that work would commence on April 2.

“This date was never decided upon. This date is impractical as it is Ram Navmi during which lakhs of devotees visit Ayodhya,” he said.

Rai said the trust first needed to set up an office and open a bank account in Ayodhya before further decisions could be made.

"The idol of Lord Ram, which is presently installed in a make-shift structure, should ideally be shifted before the upcoming Ram Navami to the 67-acre land allotted for the construction of the temple.This will enable the devotees to have a feel of the layout of the temple," he added. 

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