We're hopeful construction of Ayodhya Ram temple will be complete by December: Nripendra Mishra
Ayodhya (UP) (PTI): Chairman of Ram Temple Construction Committee Nripendra Mishra said on Monday that the first floor of the Ram temple at Ayodhya will be completed by July this year, and expressed the hope that the construction of the temple will be completed by December.
He said marble from Rajasthan will be used in making the 'Ram Darbar' and the seven temples. Four sculptors have been shortlisted for this work, he added.
Speaking to reporters in Ayodhya, Mishra said, "The first floor of the temple, which is under construction, will be completed by the end of July. After July, the construction of the second floor will only remain. So, we are hopeful that by December, the construction of the temple will be complete," Mishra said.
On the recent controversy in a section of the media about 'teeka' not being applied on the foreheads of the devotees visiting the Ram temple, Mishra said, it was not applied to the devotees who used to come earlier. They used to have a 'darshan' of the Lord and then go out.
"Teeka was applied to some special people who used to come from another 'dwar' (gate). So, it is completely misleading to say that the Lord's 'teeka' and 'charnamrit' are not being given.
"No new embargo has been put. Everybody is being given equal treatment, be it an ordinary devotee or a special (person)," Mishra said.
The idol of Ram Lalla was consecrated at the Ayodhya temple on January 22, a landmark event led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi who also gave a clarion call to go beyond the grand temple's construction to build the foundation of a "strong, capable and divine" India of the next 1,000 years.
As the inauguration of the temple marked the culmination of a decades-long campaign, mostly under the Hindutva banner, to reclaim a disputed religious site in Ayodhya, Modi said it was the advent of a new era.
Lakhs of people watched the 'pran pratishtha' (consecration) ceremony on television at their homes and in neighbourhood temples, savouring the historic moment just months ahead of the Lok Sabha elections and 34 years after BJP veteran L K Advani's iconic 'Mandir Wahin Banayenge ' speech during his rath yatra that shaped Ram mandir politics.
Mishra said more than 1.75 crore devotees have visited the temple from January 22 till June 23.
On average, one lakh devotees visit the temple daily. By the end of this month, we expect that 2 crore devotees would have visited the temple, he said.
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RSS leader Bhaiyyaji Joshi advocates for ‘violence’ to uphold non-violence at Ahmedabad event
Ahmedabad: Senior Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader Bhaiyyaji Joshi made a controversial statement on Thursday, asserting that violence is sometimes "necessary" to safeguard the principle of non-violence. Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the 'Hindu Spiritual & Service Fair' at Gujarat University grounds, Joshi emphasized India's responsibility to lead the world on the path of peace by including everyone.
Citing the Mahabharat, Joshi said, "To protect 'dharma,' actions that may appear as 'adharma' are sometimes inevitable, as demonstrated by our ancestors." He underlined that Hinduism embodies non-violence but suggested that taking strong measures, including violence, might be required to protect its ideals.
Joshi also spoke about India's unique ability to foster global harmony, referencing the ancient concept of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' (the world is one family). He stated, "A stronger India and Hindu community assure the world of protection for the weaker and downtrodden."
The RSS leader dismissed the notion that selfless service is exclusive to institutions like churches and missionaries, highlighting the extensive service traditions of Hindu temples, gurdwaras, and organizations, which include feeding nearly one crore people daily and running schools and hospitals.
