PM Narendra Modi, UP CM Yogi Adityanath and Mohan Bhagwat invoke temple ‘Martyrs’

LUCKNOW: After performing bhoomi pujan to pave way for the construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat invoked the “sacrifices” made by scores of Ram bhakts over the years for the fulfilment of the Ram temple dream.
While Modi compared the occasion with August 15 (Independence Day), saying that like people sacrificed their lives for the country’s freedom, there were many who laid their lives for Ram temple, CM Yogi said it was an occasion to remember the sacrifices of those who spent their lives waiting for the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya. “Those who sacrificed their lives for the movement, can’t come here to witness the moment. There are those who are alive but can’t come here. Advani ji (former deputy PM LK Advani) led the struggle at so many fronts but must be sitting at home and watching the event on television. Then there are many who could have come but were not invited due to the prevailing condition.”
Bhagwat not just remembered those kar sewaks who lost their lives during the course of Temple movement but also leaders like Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi who, despite their old age, are still being summoned by court to depose in the demolition case.
Remembering kar sewaks, PM Modi said, “August 15 symbolises lakhs of sacrifices made by people for the country’s independence. Similarly, August 5 is the symbol of lakhs of sacrifices for the temple.”
CM Yogi Adityanath also said generations had been waiting for this “great moment” but it finally came to fruition after following a democratic process.
Among special invitees to the limited attendance was Purnima Kothari, the sister of kar sewaks Sharad and Ram Kothari who were killed in police firing in Ayodhya in 1990.