'I am CM now so...': Uddhav speaks on his visit to Ayodhya for Ram Mandir Bhoomi Pujan

In an interview with Shiv Sena mouthpiece Saamana, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said that Bhoomi Poojan at Ayodhya Ram Temple can be conducted through video-conference in wake of COVID-19 pandemic. Dubbed as 'unlocked' interview, Uddhav Thackeray spoke on a range of issues, including Maha Vikas Aghadi government in State, India-China tensions, Rajasthan political crisis, and Ayodhya Ram Temple.

When asked by Saamana’s Executive Editor Sanjay Raut about Bhoomi Poojan at Ram Temple on August 5 and role of Shiv Sena after it broke alliance with BJP, CM Uddhav said that he can go to Ayodhya for program and will offer his prayers., but asked if lakhs of "Ram bhakts" can be stopped from going re, and if Centre wants to expose m to Coronavirus. He added that he had visited Ayodhya even when he was t a Chief Minister. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several or prominent personalities are set to visit Ayodhya for Bhoomi Pujan on August 5. 

"An e-bhoomi pujan can be done. ground-breaking ceremony can be held through video-conference. This is an event of joy, and lakhs of people would be interested in attending ceremony. Will we allow spread of coronavirus?" Thackeray said.

Recalling that last time when he had gone to Ayodhya, he was stopped from performing 'aarti' at Saryu river re since COVID-19 pandemic spread had just started, he said, "This is t an ordinary temple. Today, we are fighting coronavirus pandemic and religious garings are prohibited. I can go to Ayodhya for ceremony, but what about lakhs of Ram bhakts. Will you stop m? You can do e-bhoomi pujan through video-conference."

Uddhav Thackeray, his son Aaditya Thackeray, visited Ayodhya in March this year and had said that he has only parted ways with BJP and t Lord Ram. Last year in June, Uddhav was accompanied by Aaditya Thackeray, and 18 party MPs during his visit to Ayodhya. He had also anunced that his government will give Rs 1 crore to help in construction of a temple to Lord Ram in Ayodhya.

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Ayodhya verdict & Ram Mandir Trust formation

Constitution Bench of Supreme Court in its verdict on vember 9, 2019, awarded entire disputed area in Ayodhya to Hindu parties, after a 40-day marathon hearing. On or hand, SC ordered that an alternative land of 5 acres in Ayodhya would be given to Sunni Central Waqf Board for construction of a mosque. 

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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. 

Amid relaxed restrictions of Coronavirus lockdown, Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teertha Kshetra Trust met on July 18 in Ayodhya. temple construction will commence after foundation stone-laying ceremony. trust has estimated that construction of temple will be completed in 3-3.5 years i.e by 2023. ceremony was previously stalled due to India-China's face-off, as per trust.

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