VHP slams Uddhav for wanting e-Bhoomi Pujan in Ayodhya, says it’s fall of a Hindutva party

Maharashtra CM & Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray Sunday said Bhoomi Pujan, for the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, could be conducted through video-conferencing in view of Covid-19.

Alok Kumar, working president of the Vishva Hindu Parishad | Photo: @AlokKumarLIVE | Twitter

New Delhi: The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) has attacked Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray for his comments that the Bhoomi Pujan, for the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, could be conducted through video-conferencing in view of the Covid-19 pandemic.

VHP working president Alok Kumar Monday said Uddhav’s remarks reflect the fall of a once-Hindutva party.

“The statement of Uddhav Thackeray only shows his blind opposition and we do mourn such a fall of what once was a Hindutva party led by the legendary Shri Bala Sahab Thackeray,” Kumar said.

“The Bhoomi Pujan is an essential and sacred ritual. Before starting any construction work we worship the Mother Earth, seek her permission to dig and construct structures and obtain her blessings for the mission. Obviously, this cannot be done by e-conference,” he added.

All major activities back on so why not puja: VHP

Kumar said all major activities have now started and they will ensure the gathering is restricted to 200 people only. He also criticised Thackeray and said his concern about public health is nothing but a “false pretence”.

“The country is going through its normal activities with all precautions relating to Covid-19. The Supreme Court permitted the symbolic taking out of the Shri Jagannath Rath Yatra. The rituals of Shri Amarnath Yatra have all been performed though the yatra is not permitted this year,” he said.

“The VHP has always made it clear that the Bhoomi Pujan will be done by restricting participation to 200 people and in compliance with all health and security advisories. In this situation, the concern about public health expressed by Thackeray are only false pretensions.”

PM Modi to attend

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting Ayodhya for the ceremony on 5 August, at least three members of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Theertha Kshetra Trust, the body set up to oversee the construction of the temple, had said.

Soon after the ceremony, the construction work on the temple will officially start. The trust has set a 2024 deadline to complete the work. The date fixed for Ram Mandir Bhoomi Pujan, 5 August, also happens to be the first anniversary of the scrapping of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.