PM Modi announces setting up of trust to build Ram Temple

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the setting up of independent trust to build Ram Temple in Ayodhya, as directed by Supreme Court.
PM Modi

TLI Staff

New Delhi: In a major announcement in Lok Sabha on Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that an independent trust would be set up to build Ram Temple in Ayodhya, as directed by Supreme Court in its landmark verdict in the Ramjanmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case last November. PM added that the entire 67.7 acre of land will be handed over to the trust.

Both the inner and the outer courtyard of the complex will be handed over to the trust for the construction of the temple. The UP government has been asked to allot 5 acre land to Sunni Waqf Board for the construction of mosque outside the 67.7 acre complex.

“I am happy to announce that in the cabinet meeting today morning, we took significant decision on the Ayodhya trust. As per the orders of the Supreme Court, we have set up a trust. The Sri Ram Janma Bhumi Tirtha Shetra will be the name of the trust. It will be an independent body,” Modi said.

“We have taken another big step for Ram Mandir pilgrims. We are allocating over 67 acres of land near the mandir area to the trust,” he added.

Home Minister Amit Shah said Sri Ram Janma Bhumi Tirtha Shetra will have 15 trustees out of which one trustee would be Dalit. He added he would like to congratulte PM Modi for taking the decision that strengthens social harmony.

 

“Today we take a historic step ahead towards building a grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya! It was my honour to address the Lok Sabha on this subject, which is special to many. I also applauded the remarkable spirit of the people of India.This is what I said…,” wrote Narendra Modi on Twitter, posting the video clip of his announcement in Lok Sabha.

 

AIMIM (All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen) chief Asaduddin Owaisi criticised the timing of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement.

“The Parliament session will end on 11 February. The announcement (by Modi) could have come after 8 February. Seems like the BJP is worried over Delhi elections.” he told ANI.

UP CM Yogi Adityanath also congratulated PM on the announcement.

 

In its historic judgment on November 9, the Supreme Court had given the disputed land in Ayodhya to Hindus and directed the central government to form a trust within three months for the construction of the temple. SC had also directed the centre to allocate 5 acre land to the Sunni Waqf Board for building a mosque at a “prominent site.”

Ayodhya verdict: Disputed land goes to Hindus; a look at reactions