'Ayodhya Temple Built By Demolishing Mosque': KS Chithra Attacked For Asking People To Chant Lord's Mantra

Noted singer KS Chithra has come under attack from a section of social media users after she appealed to people to chant Lord Ram's mantra and light lamps in the evening on the day of the Ayodhya temple inauguration.

In a video, she said, "When the consecration ceremony is held in Ayodhya on January 22, everybody should recite the Ram mantra 'Sri Rama, Jayarama, Jaya Rama' at 12:20 pm. Similarly, everyone should light a five-wick lamp at home. Praying that God's blessings are showered upon everyone. Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu."

However, many people on social media attacked her, reminding the singer that the temple, which will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 22, was built after demolishing the Babri Masjid.

Responding to her message, singer Sooraj Santhosh, on his Instagram story, said, "The highlight is the innocence of the people who say, "Loka Samasta Sukhino Bhavantu," conveniently forgetting the history, putting aside the fact that the temple was built by demolishing a mosque. How many idols are going to be broken one by one? How many more KS Chithra will show their true colors? Pity."

Writer Indu Menon slammed the singer by calling her "fake Nightingale." On her Facebook account, she said, "No matter how much you chant in the blood of people, their migration, and their pains, no Rama and Vishnu are going to come. Even if you light 5 lakh lamps, your mind is not going to be filled with light. The world believed that it was Nightingale only because of the voice, but it has been proven that you are actually a 'fake Nightingale.'"

However, singer G Venugopal has extended her support to the singer under attack. On his Facebook post, he wrote, "I have known KS Chithra for around 50 years. She has been singing for the past 40 years and has not been involved in any controversies. The online comments against her on her statements on the Ayodhya Temple is disheartening. She is a cherished singer and has sung numerous songs. She hasn't shown any political alienation before. If you hold differing opinions, can't we simply forgive her? Please try and not hurt her," said Venugopal in his Facebook post.

The site where the Ram Temple has come up had the Babri Masjid, constructed in the 16th century after the demolition of a pre-existing non-Islamic structure. In 1949, idols of Rama and Sita were placed inside the mosque, and it faced an attack leading to its demolition in 1992. In 2019, the Supreme Court passed a verdict allocating the disputed land to Hindus for the construction of a temple. Simultaneously, Muslims were granted an alternative piece of land for the construction of a mosque.