Modi shouldn't attend Ayodhya ceremony as PM: Owaisi

July 28, 2020 18:10

Prime Minister Narendra Modi should not attend the 'Bhoomi pujan' ceremony of the Ram temple at Ayodhya on August 5 in his official capacity, but can do so as an individual, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen chief Asaduddin Owaisi said on Tuesday, even as VHP called for celebrations on that day.

"Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi should not attend this event as the prime minister of this country. He can definitely attend this function in his individual capacity. The prime minister also has freedom of religion. Every Indian citizen has freedom of religion," Owaisi said, speaking to reporters.

The Supreme Court had in a unanimous verdict last year cleared the way for the construction of a Ram Temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya, and directed the Centre to allot a 5-acre plot to the Sunni Waqf Board for building a mosque.

In one of the most important and anticipated judgements in India's history, a five judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi put an end to the more than a century old dispute that has torn the social fabric of the nation.

"But I want to know from the Prime Minister that does the government of India have a religion? No, because the Constitution clearly says that secularism is part of the basic structure of the Constitution," Owaisi said.

The government of India has no religion, the government of India celebrates all religions, he said.

He wondered why President Ram Nath Kovind had not been invited to the event.

According to him, Modi's attendance at the function would "open up wounds."

International Joint General Secretary of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Surendra Kumar Jain, in a Facebook live address, said that the 500-year old struggle of Hindu society would soon fructify.

"Lakhs of people sacrificed for the Ram Temple construction. The whole country is determined to construct a temple at Ram Janmabhoomi. Bhoomi Pujan will be held on August 5. The prime minister will take part in that Bhoomi Pujan," he said.

Jain appealed to the people to face towards Ayodhya at 10.30 am on August 5 and chant Ram''s name offering 'Aartis' with determination in mind for construction of the temple. -- PTI

« Back to LIVE

TOP STORIES

Kirsten, Gillespie take charge of Pakistan cricket

Pakistan have appointed former South Africa batsman Gary Kirsten as head coach of their men's white-ball teams

Women candidates constitute only 8% in first two phases of LS polls

In the first phase of the Lok Sabha polls, there were 135 women candidates while in the second phase, there were 100 women candidates, bringing the combined total for the first two phases to 235 women candidates.

Village defence guard killed in gunfight with terrorists in J-K

A massive search operation is underway to flush out the terrorists, who are believed to have recently infiltrated from Pakistan, they said.

Hosts Kolkata Knight Riders wary of resurgent Delhi Capitals

A resurgent Delhi Capitals will look to exploit Kolkata Knight Riders' bowling vulnerabilities and ascend to top-four in the table during their Indian Premier League match in Kolkata on Monday.

IAF continues firefighting in U'khand forests, Army roped in too

Efforts have also intensified to extinguish the raging forest fires in the state, especially in the worst-affected areas of Nainital, Haldwani and Ramnagar forest divisions, forest officials here said on Sunday.