Ayodhya: Ram temple trust gets Cabinet nod

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday announced in the Lok Sabha the decision of the Union Cabinet to constitute a trust to build a temple of Lord Rama at Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh in accordance with November 9, 2019 verdict of the Supreme Court.

With the MPs of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party raising the party's signature "Jai Shri Ram" slogan, Prime Minister announced that the Ram Janmabhoomi Tirtha Kshetra trust would build the temple of Lord Rama in Ayodhya. He also announced that the Centre had already requested the Government of Uttar Pradesh to allot five acres of land elsewhere to the Sunni Waqf Board of the state in accordance with the Supreme Court's order.

Prime Minister's announcement in the Lok Sabha on construction of Ram Temple came just days before the state assembly polls is scheduled to take place in Delhi where the Bharatiya Janata Party poses a challenge to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party.

Polling for assembly elections in Delhi will take place on February 8.

"The (Union) Cabinet has today given approval to proposal for creation of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirtha Kshetra Trust. The trust will be free to take all decisions regarding creation of a magnificent Ram Temple in Ayodhya," Modi told the Lok Sabha soon after the House assembled for the day.

The government also decided that whole of the approximately 67.703-acre acquired land would be transferred to the Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirtha Kshetra Trust, said Modi.

"Request for allotment of five acre land to Sunni Waqf Board was made to Uttar Pradesh Government and the State government has approved it," said Prime Minister.

He lauded the maturity shown by people of the country after the Supreme Court's verdict on the dispute over the shrine had come on November 9 last year.

"After the verdict on the Ram Janmabhoomi issue came out, the people of India displayed remarkable faith in democratic processes and procedures. I salute the 130 crore people of India," said Prime Minister.

"We are all members of one family. This is the ethos of India. We want every Indian to be happy and healthy. Guided by ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas’ we are working for the welfare of every Indian," he added as the BJP MPs applauded by thumping on the desks.