AYODHYA: Mahant Paramhans Das, the chief priest of Tapaswi Chawni temple in Ayodhya who was on hunger strike since October 1 demanding that prime minister Narendra Modi should come forward for the construction of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, was arrested by Faizabad police early on Monday morning. Das was picked up by police at around 1 am, a few hours before the arrival of former VHP leader Pravin Togadia to meet him.

The heavy police force entered the premises of Tapaswi Chawni temple after cutting the power supply and used force to remove sadhus sitting in support of Das. When Das tried to oppose the police action, he was dragged and forcefully thrown in the police vehicle.

Police action comes after negotiations between Uttar Pradesh government and Das failed. The government has appealed Das to break his fast but the request was rejected by the seer.

Faizabad SP (city) Anil Sisodia said that the condition of Das was detereoting and he had been admitted to SGPGI, Lucknow.

Mahant, who started his fast on October 1 at his temple, had announced to continue his fast if Modi government did not start the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya.

In a statement given to TOI, Mahant had said, “Modi has time till I am alive. I will die but not break my fast if the BJP and prime minister Narendra Modi did not start the construction of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya."

“This time, from corporator to the President of India, all are from BJP, but they are not doing anything for Ram temple. Hindus have elected BJP government only for the cause of Ram Janambhoomi and it is silent over the issue, so I have decided to give my life if BJP is not coming forward for the Ram Mandir,” Das said before his arrest .