RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav to skip Ram Mandir 'Pran Pratistha' ceremony

Lalu Prasad Yadav. File Pic

Former Chief Minister of Bihar and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav on Wednesday said that he will not attend the Ram Mandir 'Pran Pratistha' ceremony in Ayodhya that is scheduled to take place on January 22, reported news agency ANI.

"I will not go to Ayodhya to attend the Ram Mandir 'Pran Pratistha' ceremony," Lalu Prasad Yadav said, reported ANI.

However, he has not cited any specific reason for attending the event, reported ANI.

The Ram Mandir 'Pran Pratistha' ceremony will be held in Ayodhya on January 22. Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with several other leaders will attend the event. Several celebrities and noted personalities have also been invited to the ceremony, reported ANI.

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) supremo Sharad Pawar has also turned down the invitation to the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya and said that he will visit for darshan after the event and once the construction is complete, reported ANI.

Pawar conveyed his appreciation of the invite in a letter addressed to Champat Rai, the General Secretary of Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra on Wednesday, reported ANI.

"I'm very happy on receiving the invitation for the Pran Pratishtha ceremony to held in Ayodhya on January 22, 2024," Pawar stated in his letter, reported ANI.

In the letter, Pawar acknowledged the devotion of crores of devotees across the country and said, "'Maryada Purushottam Sri Ram' is a symbol of worship and devotion of crores of devotees in and across India. The devotees across the country are excited about the ceremony and are reaching the temple in large numbers. The joy of the historic celebrations will reach me through them."

The NCP supremo said that he will visit the temple during his scheduled visit to Ayodhya after January 22, adding that by then the construction of the temple will also be completed, reported ANI.

Several other leaders of the opposition, including Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, have turned down the invitation.

Vedic rituals for the Pran-Pratishtha ceremony of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya began on Tuesday, a week before the main ceremony. General secretary of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust Champat Rai said Ram temple will be open for 'darshan' for the general public from January 23.

(With inputs from ANI)