BJP Veteran LK Advani to Skip Ayodhya Ram Mandir Inauguration Due to Extreme Cold Weather

Veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader LK Advani has announced that he will not be attending the Ayodhya Ram Mandir inauguration ceremony due to the extreme cold weather in north India. This decision comes after the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra trust advised Advani and his colleague Murli Manohar Joshi not to attend the event, citing their age and health concerns.

Champat Rai, the general secretary of the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra trust, had earlier informed the media that both Advani and Joshi were requested not to come considering their advanced age, a request that was accepted by both leaders. However, a Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader had stated in January that Advani would still participate in the ceremony, and the necessary arrangements and medical facilities would be provided to him.

LK Advani, along with his colleagues Murli Manohar Joshi and the late Ashok Singhal, played a significant role in the forefront of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi movement, which aimed to construct a Ram Temple in Ayodhya, believed to be the birthplace of Lord Rama. The movement gained momentum in the 1990s and culminated in the demolition of the Babri Masjid on December 6, 1992.

The inauguration ceremony on January 22nd will witness the entry of Ram Lalla into the newly built Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, marking the completion of the long-awaited temple. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be leading the ceremony and performing the pran pratishtha ritual. Various film stars including Amitabh Bachchan, Rajinikanth, and Alia Bhatt have also been invited to attend the event.

This development regarding Advani’s absence from the ceremony further reflects the historical significance of his involvement in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, particularly the rath yatra he initiated from Somnath to Ayodhya. This yatra aimed to garner support for the construction of the Ram temple and was accompanied by instances of violence and unrest. Advani’s decision to start the journey from Somnath holds symbolic value in reclaiming temple sites.

While Advani’s absence may come as a disappointment to some, it underscores the challenges of extreme weather conditions during this time of the year. Nevertheless, the Ayodhya Ram Mandir inauguration remains a momentous event in Indian history, heralding a new chapter for the nation.