MP Harinarayan Rajbhar from eastern UP writes to Ayodhya DM, says idol being unduly exposed to biting winter, summer and monsoon.
Lucknow: BJP MP Harinarayan Rajbhar Friday sought a “residence” for the Ram Lalla deity under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), the Modi government’s flagship housing scheme, days after he sparked a controversy by claiming that no permission was required to build a Ram temple in Ayodhya.
The BJP MP from Ghosi constituency in eastern Uttar Pradesh has written to the Ayodhya district magistrate stating that it is “extremely important” that the idol, placed within the disputed site, is “given a roof”.
“Since Ram Lalla’s pran-pratishtha (ceremony where idols of Hindu gods are consecrated and ‘resided’ in a temple) has taken place, it has now become extremely important that the Ayodhya district magistrate, under the Prime Minister Awas Yojana, provide a residence to Shri Ram Lalla so that he can also be given a roof,” reads Rajbhar’s letter to the DM.
Speaking to ThePrint, Rajbhar said the thought occurred to him during a recent visit to Ayodhya. “It occurred to me that Ram Lalla has been living under a tent for so many years even though this is his birthplace,” the MP said, adding, “The Supreme Court is yet to pass an order but that does not mean that he cannot be given a proper roof over his head.”
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‘Was told to be patient by BJP top brass’
Rajbhar further told ThePrint that he raised his concerns with the Modi government and the party but was told to be patient.
“I spoke about this during the parliamentary party meeting… I was told by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh that everyone wants a Ram Mandir but that we needed to be a little patient on the matter,” the MP said. “So, I thought that while the matter is in court and we are waiting for an order, at least an accommodation can be provided to our God.”
In the letter, the MP further reiterated his reasons to the district magistrate.
“In this biting winter, summer and monsoon, Ram Lalla has just been in this temple tent. This is the place where ages ago, he had been born and today he sits there,” the letter reads.
“There is no roof over him even though the present times have seen the Indian government’s strong resolution to provide houses to the homeless and those without a roof so that in no circumstances should anyone be deprived of a house.”
Earlier this month, Rajbhar had stoked a controversy around the Ram Mandir issue by claiming that no permission was required to build the temple as the Babri Masjid was demolished without any permission.