6.2.20

Ram Temple: Cabinet clears 15-member trust

Days before the Delhi Assembly polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the formation of a trust for the construction of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya in the wake of the Supreme Court verdict in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case.

Following the weekly Cabinet meeting , Modi headed directly to Parliament and contrary to his usual conversational speeches, read out a written note on the decision during the Question Hour in Lok Sabha.

“I am especially here to inform you of an important and historic issue. Like crores of people of this country, this issue is very close to my heart too. I am pleased to announce that a significant decision has been taken to follow the directives of the Supreme Court. The Cabinet has prepared a detailed plan for the construction of Ram Temple at Ayodhya. My government has decided to set up a trust called Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Teertha Kshetra, which will take decisions independently on the construction of a Ram temple and related issues,” announced Modi, amidst chants of ‘Jai Shri Ram’ by BJP MPs, who were specifically asked to be present in the House.

While the propriety of this announcement was hotly debated in the corridors of Parliament as it comes two days before polling in Delhi, Election Commission officials maintained that since the matter does not pertain to Delhi it cannot be considered a violation of the ongoing model code of conduct imposed on the national capital. Officials also pointed out that since the decision comes on the directive of the Supreme Court, it cannot be treated like a new announcement.

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