Advani: It’s a historic day for all Indians

Veteran BJP leader L.K. Advani, who played a pivotal role in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement and undertook a nationwide rathyatra, said on the eve of Wednesday’s foundation-laying ceremony of Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir it will be a historic and emotional day not just for him but for all Indians.

Mr Advani, 92, won’t attend the ceremony though the temple trust says he was invited but advised not to attend due to his age. He said the temple’s construction after the decisive 2019 SC verdict will usher in “an environment of tranquility” and “go a long way in strengthening the bond between Indians”.

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BJP veteran L.K. Advani, who played a pivotal role in the Ramjanambhoomi movement and undertook the Ram Rath Yatra, on Tuesday said it will be a historical and emotional day not only for him but for all Indians when Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation.

Mr Advani, 92, said construction of the temple after the decisive verdict of the Supreme Court last year is beginning in “an environment of tranquility” and will “go a long way in strengthening the bond between Indians. Mr Advani said a grand Ram Mandir was a dream close to his heart and was also a desire and mission of the BJP. “One such dream, close to my heart is now getting fulfilled... A grand mandir for Shri Ram at Ram Janmabhoomi has been a desire and mission for the Bharatiya Janata Party,” he said.

Noting that Lord Ram occupies an esteemed place in India’s culture and civilisational heritage and is embodiment of grace, dignity and decorum, the BJP veteran said it is his belief that the temple will inspire Indians to imbibe his virtues.

The former deputy PM also said that he believes that Ram Mandir will represent India as a “strong, prosperous, peaceful and harmonious naion with justice for all and exclusion of none so that we can truly usher in Ram Rajya, the epitome of good governance.”

The 92-year-old BJP leader is not among the invitees for the groundbreaking ceremony of the temple.

On this auspicious occasion, he said he wanted to express his gratitude to all those saints, leaders and people from India and the world over who made valuable contributions and sacrifices in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement.

Shri Ram occupies an esteemed place in India’s cultural and civilisational heritage and is an embodiment of grace, dignity and decorum. It is my belief that this temple will inspire all Indians to imbibe his virtue — L.K. Advani, BJP leader