Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday demanded that the consecration ceremony of the Ram temple in Ayodhya be performed by President Droupadi Murmu as it is a matter of “national pride and country’s self-respect”.
Addressing a press conference here, Thackeray said he will also invite Murmu to the Kalaram temple in Nashik, where he will pay a visit on January 22, the day of the Ayodhya temple consecration ceremony. Thackeray had earlier announced that on January 22, he along with his party leaders and office-bearers will visit the historic Kalaram temple in Nashik and perform ‘maha aarti’ on the banks of the Godavari river.
A day later (on January 23), the party will also hold a convention of party functionaries in Nashik, where Thackeray will address a rally. Thackeray said after the Somnath temple in Gujarat was restored, the formal restoration ceremony was held by the country’s first president Dr Rajendra Prasad.
“Since this (Ayodhya Ram temple) is a matter of national pride and is related to country’s self-respect, the consecration ceremony should be held by President Murmu,” Thackeray said. A delegation representing the Ram Temple Trust on Friday called on President Murmu and formally invited her to attend the consecration ceremony in Ayodhya.