New Delhi, Feb. 5 (PTI): The Centre on Wednesday constituted an independent 15-member Trust to oversee the construction of a "grand and magnificent" Ram temple in Ayodhya, an announcement made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Lok Sabha four days before the expiry of a 3-month deadline set by the Supreme Court.
The announcement of a "broad scheme" for developing a Ram temple and formation of a Trust named 'Shri Ram Janambhoomi Teertha Kshetra' was made by the prime minister, shortly after a meeting of the Union Cabinet presided by him gave its approval.
In a rare occasion, Modi spoke in the Lok Sabha as soon as the House convened at 11 am, telling members he wants to share information on a "very important and historical subject for the country."
"This topic is close to my heart like millions of countrymen and I consider it my great fortune to talk about it," he said.
Since Parliament is in session, the government decided to inform the House on the important decision taken by the Cabinet.
Union minister Prakash Javadekar said it would be incorrect to link the Cabinet decision to the Delhi Assembly polls this Saturday.
Modi said the Cabinet decision was in line with the direction by the Supreme Court in its verdict in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case on November 9 last. The apex court settled a long-festering religious issue and allowed the building of a temple at the disputed site where many Hindus believe Lord Ram was born. It also fixed a 3-month deadline for the Centre to form a Trust.
On the basis of the Supreme Court directive, my Government has today given the approval for a broad scheme for the building of a grand and magnificent Ram temple at the birthplace of Lord Ram at Ayodhya and constituted an independent trust named 'Shri Ram Janambhoomi Teertha Kshetra' to oversee its construction.
"This Trust will be empowered to take independent decisions on the construction of the temple and other related subjects. the prime minister said. The Trust, which will have its registered office in Delhi, will have a representative from the Dalit community. The names of the Trustees were not released yet.
The prime minister also said that on the directions of the Supreme Court the Centre has requested the Uttar Pradesh Government to allocate 5 acres of land to the Sunni Waqf board, and it has acceded to the request. The apex court while settling the Ayodhya dispute asked the Centre to allot an alternative five-acre plot in a "prominent" location in the Hindu holy town for constructing a new mosque.
Modi said that keeping in mind the construction of the temple and the spirit of the devotees who would come to pay obeisance to Ram Lalla in future the Government has taken another important decision to transfer the whole of the approx 67.703 acres acquired land to the new Trust.
"We all know the historical and spiritual significance that is attached to Lord Ram and Ayodhya, in the Indian ethos, spirit, ideals and culture.
The UP government gave the allotment letter to the Sunni Waqf Board for the land in Dhannipur village in Sohawal tehsil in Ayodhya on the Lucknow highway, about 18 km from the district headquarters, state government spokesperson Shrikant Sharma told reporters in Lucknow.
The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath earlier in the day.
In a notification, the Union Home Ministry said the Trust will have its registered office in Greater Kailash locality, an upscale area in south Delhi.
Modi also used the announcement in the Lok Sabha to reach out to different sections against the backdrop of the ongoing protests over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC).
Modi said in India, be it Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, Parsis or Jains, everyone is a part of one "broad family".
"Development must take place for every member of the family. Our government is moving forward with the mantra of 'sabka sath sabka vikas' so that everyone is happy," he said.
Seeking to emphasise the importance of the announcement, Modi repeated twice "Aayee Aayee" (Come come) before urging all members to support in one voice the construction of the Ram Temple.
Modi said after the verdict on the Ayodhya issue was pronounced, people displayed remarkable faith in democratic processes and procedures.
Replying to a question at a post-Cabinet meeting briefing, Javadekar said the decision on the temple in Ayodhya has nothing to do with Delhi Assembly polls.