Yet to decide on attending Ram Mandir consecration ceremony, grateful to be invited: Mayawati

BSP supremo Mayawati on Monday said she has received an invitation for the January 22 consecration ceremony at the Ram temple in Ayodhya and is grateful for it, but a decision on attending it has not been taken yet because of certain party programmes. The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) is a secular party and respects all religions. “In the future, if any such programme is held regarding the Babri Masjid, our party will have no objection to that also,” Mayawati said at a press conference organised here on her 68th birthday. In 2019, the Supreme Court in its verdict in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title suit had cleared the way for the temple to be built at the disputed plot of land in Ayodhya where the mosque stood before its demolition.

“I have received the invitation for the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ (consecration ceremony) programme to be held on January 22 in Ayodhya. I have not taken any decision yet on attending the programme because right now I am very busy with my party’s programmes,” Mayawati said while replying to a question.

“Our party has no objection to whatever programme is going to be organised on January 22 regarding the Ayodhya Ram temple and we welcome it. In the future, if any such programme is held regarding Babri Masjid, our party will have no objection to that also,” she said. The BSP leader said, “Our party is a secular party and respects all religions equally. No matter what religion it is. Our party has not opposed anyone. The Bahujan Samaj Party is the only party in the country which is secular.”

“We welcome the invitation letter we have received for the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ programme. I have not yet decided whether to go there or not. Whatever decision will be taken in this regard, the media will be informed about it, Mayawati added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate in the January 22 consecration ceremony, which is also expected to be attended by thousand of people, including seers.