Demand to reopen temples for devotees in Ayodhya

LUCKNOW: Now, a saint in Ayodhya has demanded opening of temples for devotees as the country moves into lockdown 4.0 from Monday.

It may pointed out that Imam of Eidgah, Ayodhya, has also demanded special permission for namaz on last Friday of Ramzan and Eid. Pandit Kalikaram, president, Ram Dal Trust, Ram Ki Paidi, Ayodhya, on Sunday, handed over a memorandum to Ved Prakash Gupta, BJP MLA from Ayodhya (Sadar) assembly seat, seeking permission to open temples for devotees.

All temples in Ayodhya are closed from March 25. There are more than 20,000 temples and Maths in Ayodhya.

“Livelihood of priests of all temples in Ayodhya depends on offerings made by devotees. But due to lockdown they are not able to sustain their family. In such a scenario, temples must be opened,” said Kalikaram.

The Ram Dal Trust also demanded a financial package from the state government for priests of Ayodhya and other religious places in the state on the lines announced by the Madhya Pradesh government.

“In MP the state government has announced ₹8 crore package for priests,” added Kalikaram. However, the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas, Hanuman Garhi temple and other saints in Ayodhya have issued an appeal to follow lockdown guidelines.

“We have to follow all guidelines of the lockdown. It is in larger interest of all to remain indoors to check spread of coronavirus,” said Raju Das, priest of Hanuman Garhi temple, Ayodhya. Sharad Sharma, regional spokesperson, VHP, who operates from Karsevakpuram, Ayodhya, said: “Lockdown is in larger interest of the nation. We all must follow lockdown guidelines and help the government fight the pandemic.”