Parande takes a dig at those opposing Ram Mandir invoking secularism

Nagpur, July 31: Launching a frontal attack on those opposing the construction of Sri Ram Mandir at Ayodhya, Milind Parande, Secretary-General of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) said that some people have made it their business to oppose any matter relating to Sri Ram Mandir. “Their politics revolves round opposing the Hindu interests. But they should not forget that the Supreme Court has given a clear verdict in this regard. They should respect the SC verdict if they really believed in the Constitution”, he said.

Parande was interacting with media persons at a press conference here on Thursday. Dr. Hemant Jambhekar, regional vice-president of VHP, Govind Shende, Regional secretary, Sudarshan Shende, Nagpur unit president, Dr. Rajesh Murkute, working president, Niranjan Risaldar and Prashant Titre were present.

Recalling the recent statements of NCP leader Sharad Pawar, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi who all raised the bogey of secularism and asked the Prime Minister from visiting and participating in the foundation laying ceremony, or suggesting to perform an ‘e-bhumipujan’ Parande said: “they must understand that Ram Mandir is a symbol of Bharat's National Pride and not against secularism or any individual".

The Ram Mandir at Ayodhya would be ready in a couple of years and devotees would be able to have 'darshan' then. This would become a center of communal harmony, he added.

On the issue of sacred waters and soils being taken to Ayodhya from various holy places across the country, Parande said that this was an indication of the unity and togetherness of the entire country.

Waters and soils are being taken to Ayodhya for the bhumipujan of the proposed Ram Mandir to be held on August 5, 2020, at the hands of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi. From Nagpur, the birthplace of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Kashi, the birthplace of Sant Ravidas, Maharshi Valmiki Ashram, Sitamarhi, Bihar, Kachargad in Gondia, Ramrekhadham in Jharkhand, Sri Har Mandir Sahab in Amritsar, Mahu, the birthplace of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, Jain Lal Mandir and Valmiki Mandir in Delhi, where Mahatma Gandhi lived for 72 days, Parande said.

The VHP leader appealed to the masses to observe the foundation laying day on August 5 by decorating houses, temples, ashrams, etc. and lighting lamps and making arrangement to show the live telecast of the program at Ayodhya to a larger audience. While doing these, care should be taken to follow the Covid-19 guidelines strictly, he added.