BJP Veteran LK Advani To Attend Ram Temple Event In Ayodhya

BJP veteran LK Advani will attend the the Ram Temple 'Pran Pratistha' ceremony on January 22 in Ayodhya, International Working President, Vishva Hindu Parishad Alok Kumar said on Wednesday.

RSS leader Krishna Gopal and Ram Lal along with Alok Kumar met LK Advani and extended the invitation to the event, according to a report in ANI.

Alok Kumar stated that LK Advani will receive all necessary medical facilities and arrangements during his visit to the Pran Pratistha ceremony. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to participate in the installation of the idol of Ram Lalla at the grand temple on January 22.

Also, invitations have been extended to saints from various traditions to attend the 'Pran Pratistha' ceremony on January 22.

Controversy erupted last month after Ram Temple Trust general secretary Champat Rai claimed that Lal Krishna Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi. who were among those who had spearheaded the Ram Janmabhoomi movement in the 1990s, had been requested to not attend the consecration ceremony of the temple, keeping their advanced age and health conditions in mind.

On the other hand, the Congress has turned down the invitation to attend the event. Senior leaders Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury have declined the invitation to the 'Pran Pratistha' ceremony of Lord Ram Lalla.

However, around 100 Congress office-bearers from Uttar Pradesh, including party's state unit chief Ajay Rai and state in-charge Avinash Pande, will visit Ayodhya on January 15 on Makar Sankranti.

"On January 15, I am going to Ayodhya. Our general secretary and UP in-charge Avinash Pande, and senior leaders Pramod Tiwari and P L Punia will also visit Ayodhya. In all, around 100 Congressmen will go there," PTI quoted Rai as saying.

Giving details about his plan, Rai said, "A decision has been taken to visit Ayodhya on January 15. At 9.13 am, the Sun will become 'Uttarayan' (northward movement of the Sun), and at 9.15 am, we will depart for Ayodhya chanting 'Jai Siya Ram' after observing the tradition of breaking coconut." He added that the Congress office-bearers will take a dip in Saryu after reaching Ayodhya, visit the Ram temple and Hanumangarhi.