Ayodhya | New mosque, hospital, cultural centre: Trust plan for alternate plot

Amid the preparation for the ground-breaking for a new Ram temple in Ayodhya, what is the status of the plan to build a mosque at an alternate piece of land? Hindustan Times national political editor Sunetra Choudhury speaks to Athar Hussain, spokesperson of the trust constituted to oversee the construction of a new mosque. The Uttar Pradesh Sunni Waqf Board recently accepted the land allotted by the state government, in accordance with the judgment of the Supreme Court, delivered in November 2019. Hussain said that apart from a new mosque, the 5-acre plot is likely to house a 'state-of-the-art' medical facility and a centre highlighting the contributions of the Indo-Islamic culture. The Covid-19 pandemic has stalled progress on the plan, although virtual discussions are still going on, he says. When asked about the completion date of the mosque, Hussain says that unlike the decades-old Ram temple movement, the project for a new mosque was initiated in February this year, and so it may take longer than the temple in Ayodhya. Watch the full video for more.

Earthen lamps lit up across country ahead of Ram temple bhoomi pujan

People in several parts of country lit earthern lamps as part of 'deepotsav' celebrations ahead of the foundation stone laying ceremony of Ram temple in Ayodhya. Locals of Varanasi lit earthen lamps at a temple on eve of Ram temple bhoomi pujan. People in Varanasi are ecstatic ahead of the foundation ceremony on August 05. In Kanpur, members of Vishwa Hindu Parishad also lit up earthen lamps to celebrate the upcoming special day. Earthen lamps were also lit up in Amritsar ahead of the ceremony in Ayodhya

BJP workers burst firecrackers in Bhopal ahead of Ram temple ceremony

BJP party workers and leaders lit up earthen lamps as part of 'deepotsav' celebrations, ahead of the foundation stone laying ceremony of Ram temple in Ayodhya, at party office in Bhopal on August 04. They also burst firecrackers at BJP office. Bhoomi pujan' for Ram temple is scheduled to be held on August 05. The event will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.