Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in Kartarpur for the inauguration of the Gurudwara corridor to Pakistan on November 9 when the Supreme Court ordered that Ram Temple be given to Hindus. It also ordered that government announce the setting up of a trust, and allot five acres of land to the Muslims in next three months.
Now, ahead of the three month deadline, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the setting up of a 15-member trust to run the affairs of the temple. The trust will be an independent body which will collect funds, and oversee the construction of the temple. The decision was cleared in the cabinet headed by Modi.
Though an administrative action, Modi took the political ownership of the decision by announcing it in the Lok Sabha as the session started. This brought an element of historicity as the prime minister announced it on the floor of the house. With this, the BJP has fulfilled its old promise made in its manifestos many times over. Party patriarch L.K. Advani had conducted rath yatra for the temple construction where Modi was the coordinator. By delivering on the “civilisational issue”, Modi has cemented his position into Hindu consciousness.
Coming ahead of the Delhi elections, the announcement is likely to help the BJP, the opposition alleged.
“We all know the historical and spiritual significance that is attached to Lord Ram and Ayodhya, in the Indian ethos, spirit, ideals and culture,” the PM said adding that the government has also decided that whole of the approx 67.703 acre acquired land will be transferred to the newly created Sri Ram Janma Bhoomi Tirtha Kshetra trust.
No date has been given for commencement of the construction work, but it is likely to begin on Ram Namvi (Lord Ram's birthday) on April 2. As the trust will be the sole administrator of the temple construction, it can take decisions on its design and development of the 67 acre plot in Ayodhya.
The announcement of giving five acres of land to the Muslim side was made by Uttar Pradesh minister Shrikant Sharma in Lucknow. The site selected from three different options sent to the Centre was village Dhannipur, in Tehsil Shahowal on the state highway. It is 18 kilometers from the district headquarters, and 25 kilometers away from the Ram Temple site.
The government also issued a notification for transfer of the 67 acres to the trust saying it was needed to maintain the harmony and develop the site of national importance.
The land was transferred to the trust “taking into account the history of the communal disturbances and concerns relating to communal harmony and security and (creating facilities) for large number of pilgrims visiting," the notification said.
Amit Shah-led Union Home Ministry will be the nodal ministry which has approved the setting up of the trust. Shah called it a historic day and thanked the prime minister for the announcement. He also said the trust will also have a dalit as a member.
VHP chief Alok Kumar welcomed the announcement saying the Hindus should hold yatras and put up temple pictures in their homes and even temples. People across the world should choose one day during the navratras started on March 25 to celebrate Ram festival. He said the festival be celebrated in all villages particularly in all those 2.75 lakh villages which contributed during the Ram Temple agitation.
The VHP said they will wait for the full announcement on the names. There were some suggestions that the trust may contain names of some VHP leaders who contributed to Ram Temple movement. There will be representative of Nirmohi Akhara, central and state government.
Kumar said the temple design is ready and there was no need to change the design. "We will appeal to the trustees to not change the design. Already 60 percent of the pillars have been carved. These will be used for the construction"
According to estimates, the temple is likely to be completed by 2024-25.
Kumar suggested that the trust set a minimum amount that all Hindus across the world can contribute for the temple construction. They also designate a place and day in all places where collections can be made. The Hindus should also participate in the construction as kar seva as a token gesture.
The VHP foresees the temple emerging as the most important centre for the Hindus in the world. The VHP said they will transfer the money collected, land and the carved pillars to the trust.
The state government is likely to create infrastructural facilities around the city to cater to rush of millions of pilgrims.
