Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh likely to join PM Modi in Ayodhya for Ram Mandir 'Bhoomi Pujan'

Soon after Prime Minister's Office finalised August 5 as day for 'Bhoomi Pujan' ceremony for Ram Mandir at Ayodhya, sources have reported that several prominent leaders will be joining Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Uttar Pradesh for ceremony which will reportedly be telecasted live. prominent guest list includes Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh, former BJP President LK Advani, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and BJP leaders Uma Bharti and Murli Mahar Joshi. Sources have also reported that guest list has been kept short due to COVID-19 pandemic and only 12-15 VVIPs have been invited including aforementioned leaders. 

According to Trust president Nritya Gopal Das, "Bhoomi Pujan" will be performed with placing of a 40-kg silver brick at sanctum Santorum. Three-day-long Vedic rituals, beginning August 3, will precede main ceremony. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Aadityanath will also join "Bhoomi Pujan" ceremony.

READ | LK Advani Likely To Go With PM Modi To Ayodhya; Ram Mandir Foundation Stone A Silver Brick

Ram Mandir Trust formation & meetings

Prime Minister Modi had anunced formation of Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust in Lok Sabha on February 5, with his own former Principal Secretary Nripendra Misra heading construction committee. committee has met several times and has invited PM to lay foundation stone when construction begins. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, on March 25 performed special puja and shifted Ram Lalla from makeshift temple in Ayodhya to ar a pre-fabricated temple in same premises.

READ | NCP Backs Off As CM Uddhav Plans Ayodhya Ram Mandir 'Bhoomi Pujan' Visit Amid Pawar's Jibe

Sharad Pawar takes a jibe at PM Modi

Ahead of foundation laying ceremony, NCP supremo Sharad Pawar on Sunday took a jibe at Prime Minister's visit as he remarked that while everyone is thinking of how to fight battle against Coronavirus, some people think that pandemic will be mitigated by building a temple. Pawar's remarks triggered a controversy as several leaders jumped to criticise NCP chief. One of RSS leaders, Ramlal took to Twitter asking why some political parties have problem with name of Lord Ram and his Temple. 

Meanwhile, NCP's ally Shiv Sena has claimed that it does t need an invitation to visit Ayodhya. Sena MP Sanjay Raut stated that CM Uddhav Thackeray had visited Ayodhya after taking oath as Maharashtra Chief Minister and that Shiv Sena had removed obstacles in path of construction of Ram Temple. 

READ | Sharad Pawar On PM Modi's Ayodhya Visit: 'Some Feel Building Temple Helps In COVID Fight'

READ | RSS Condemns Sharad Pawar's 'Ram Mandir Won't Cure COVID' Remark