Politics Over Ram Mandir Intensifies; Indians in US Hold Rally to Celebrate Inauguration | Updates

The attack on the BJP-ruled central government continued to escalate on Wednesday as the INDIA bloc leaders targeted the saffron camp over the invitations being extended for the Pran Pratishtha of the grand Ram temple in Uttar Pradesh’s Ayodhya. Meanwhile, the nation is gearing up for the upcoming event on January 22.

The guest list for the inaugural function is being decided by a team nominated by the Sri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which is dominated by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) leaders. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the chief guest for the inauguration ceremony.

VHP Chief Vs Akhilesh Yadav on Ram Temple Invites

VHP chief Alok Kumar informed that the VHP functionary had approached the SP chief Akhilesh Yadav with the invite for the ceremony, however, he reportedly said that he wouldn’t accept such an invitation from a “stranger”.

Speaking on an invitation to Akhilesh Yadav, Kumar said, “We had seen his earlier statement that he would come if invited. An invitation has been sent to him. But now he is saying that he would go if Lord Ram him. If he does not come then it will become clear that even Ram does not want him to come,” he said.

The VHP chief’s statement came after Akhilesh last week said that he would attend Ram Temple’s consecration ceremony if “called by God”.

Indians in US hold a 5 km rally in Sacramento

Celebrating the inauguration of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, Indians in the United States held a five-kilometre rally at Sacramento in California. The Indian Americans were seen performing bhajans and chanting ‘Jai Shri Ram’ slogans. Preparations are also underway for LED screening of inauguration of Ram Mandir and special Puja to be held at Temples in Sacramento.

Uma Bharti Asks Opposition To Visit Ayodhya Ram Temple Without Invitation

BJP leader Uma Bharti on Tuesday accused the Congress and Left parties of creating a ‘toxic atmosphere’ during the Ram Janmabhoomi agitation, and advised them to visit the new Ram temple at Ayodhya without invitation as an ‘atonement’.

“The left and Congress party leaders created a toxic atmosphere at that time. Now when they say we do not get invitation (for the January 22 consecration ceremony for the Ram temple), I would say your biggest atonement will be that you go there without invitation and take a dip in the river Saryu and stand in front of Lord Ram by holding ears (seeking forgiveness),” the former Union minister said.

Centre Sanctions Security Cover of Over 150 Armed CISF Commandos for Ayodhya Airport

The Centre has sanctioned a security cover of more than 150 CISF personnel for the Ayodhya airport, days before the high-profile consecration ceremony at the Ram temple on January 22, PTI reported citing its sources.

The “Maharishi Valmiki International Airport, Ayodhyadham” is the country’s 68th civil airport terminal to come under the umbrella of the specialised Aviation Security Group (ASG) of the central force.

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) will provide an anti-terrorist and anti-sabotage cover to the airport that was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in December 2023, the sources said on Tuesday.