Seer on indefinite fast for Ram Temple construction

A senior Hindu seer has embarked on a fast unto death in Ayodhya demanding construction of the Ram Temple triggering ''unease'' in the BJP and other saffron outfits.

Mahant Paramhans, the head of Tapasvi Chavni (a religious mutt), who began his indefinite fast on Monday, also demanded that prime minister Narendra Modi should visit Ayodhya and pay obeisance before 'Ram Lala' at the makeshift Ram Temple.

A large number of saints and seers in Ayodhya visited the fasting Mahant and lent him their support.

Senior BJP leader Vinay Katiyar also met Paramhans on Tuesday and assured him his full support. ''His fast will certainly draw the attention of the people towards the issue,'' Katiyar said.

Former BJP MP and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Ram Vilas Vedanti, who also met the seer, urged him to call off his fast saying that the matter was currently pending in the Supreme Court. Mahant Paramhans, however, remained adamant and refused to end his fast.

''Modi should visit Ayodhya and pay obeisance at the makeshift Ram Temple... Modi has time to visit mosques but not Ram Lala,'' Paramhans said.

The fast unto death triggered unease in the BJP and the saffron leaders were trying to persuade the seer to end his fast. ''It is a difficult situation for us... the matter is in the Supreme Court,'' said a senior BJP leader here on Wednesday.

Though UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath visited Ayodhya several times since taking charge of the state he refrained from making any commitment on the Ram Temple and asked the seers to wait for the apex court's verdict.