Lok Sabha Initiates Debate On The Construction Of Ram Temple In Ayodhya

The Lok Sabha on Saturday took up a discussion on the construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya amid protest by the DMK members on an issue related to the fishermen from Tamil Nadu.

Initiating the discussion on ''the construction of historic Shri Ram Temple and Pran Pratishtha of Shri Ramlala'', Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) member Satya Pal Singh said Lord Ram belongs to everyone and not Hindus alone.

He also accused the Congress of questioning the existence of Ram, evoking a sharp reaction from the opposition benches.

Singh said the construction of the Ram temple at Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh was historic. The former Indian Police Service (IPS) officer also underlined that the temple is not a ''communal'' issue as some people perceive it.

The ruling BJP is all set to congratulate Prime Minister Narendra Modi for fulfilling the aspirations of crores of Hindus, who were waiting to see the temple being built.

Besides the resolution, the Rajya Sabha is also likely to take up discussions on the White Paper on the Indian economy before and after the BJP came to power. BJP has issued a three-line whip to all its MPs of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, asking them to be present in the Parliament today on account of some "very important" legislative business, which will be tabled for discussion and passage.

The Budget session of Parliament has been extended by a day till Saturday, (February 10), to dispose of "important government business". The session, which began on January 31, was otherwise slated to end on February 9.

According to reports, the Motion of Thanks on Ram Mandir in Lok Sabha will begin from 11 am, while the discussion in Rajya Sabha will start from 3 pm. The BJP has also issued a whip to all its members in both houses to attend the motion.