The dedication of the Ayodhya Ram temple is to be done by Prez Murmu: Uddhav

Uddhav Thackeray (Photo: ANI)

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday demanded that the consecration ceremony of Ram temple in Ayodhya be conducted by President Droupadi Murmu as it is a matter of “national pride and self-respect of the country”.

Addressing a press conference here, Thackeray said he will also invite Murmu to the Kalaram temple in Nashik, where he will visit on January 22, the day of the Ayodhya temple’s dedication ceremony. Thackeray had earlier announced that he will visit the historic Kalaram Temple in Nashik on January 22 along with his party leaders and office bearers and perform ‘maha aarti’ on the banks of Godavari river. A day later (on January 23), the party will also hold a conference of party functionaries in Nashik, where Thackeray will address a rally. Thackeray said that after the Somnath Temple in Gujarat was restored, the formal restoration ceremony was held by the country’s first President Dr Rajendra Prasad.

“Since this (Ayodhya Ram temple) is a matter of national pride and is related to the self-respect of the country, the dedication ceremony should be conducted by President Murmu,” Thackeray said. A delegation representing the Ram Temple Trust called on President Murmu on Friday and formally invited her to attend the ordination ceremony in Ayodhya. The delegation included Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) working president Alok Kumar, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader Ram Lal and Ram temple construction committee chairman Nripendra Mishra.

Thackeray said Shiv Sainiks, who was part of the ‘kar seva’ in 1992, will also be felicitated in Nashik.

First print: January 13, 2024 | 12:30 pm IST