English हिन्दी
Connect with us

India News

Yogi government plans 100 meter tall Lord Ram statue at Ayodhya’s Saryu riverfront

Published

9 years ago

on

Yogi Aditynath

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Part of the UP government’s effort to put Ayodhya on the religious tourism map, the proposal is also politically polarising

In the midst of a revival of the BJP’s politically polarising campaign for constructing a Ram Temple at the site of the Babri Masjid demolition, the Yogi Adityanath government of Uttar Pradesh is now also working on a proposal to erect a 100-meter-tall statue of Lord Ram on the banks of the Saryu river in Ayodhya.

The proposal for the “grand stature”, according to a report in the Indian Express, is part of the BJP government’s plan to showcase “Navya (new) Ayodhya.” The report said that the proposal had been presented to Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik as part of the state tourism department’s initiatives to promote religious tourism.

The government’s slideshow put the height of the statute at 100 meters but the Indian Express report also qualified this aspect saying that some officials claimed that the dimensions of the statue hadn’t been finalised as yet.

According to a press communique released from Raj Bhavan, Principal Secretary, Tourism, Awanish Kumar Awasthi had made the presentation which also included information on programmes scheduled for Diwali celebrations in Ayodhya on October 18. Governor Naik, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Union Tourism Minister K J Alphons and Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma will be present on the occasion.

The communique stated that the statue will be build at Saryughat after clearance from the National Green Tribunal (NGT).

Media reports said that the state government’s plan of putting Ayodhya prominently on the religious tourism map also includes construction of a Ram Katha gallery on the banks of the Saryu river, a multi-purpose auditorium in the Digambar Akhara premises and various public utility services. The Adityanath government had reportedly sent a detailed project report outlining these proposals for the integrated development of Ayodhya to the Union ministry of tourism and sought funds worth Rs 195.89 crore. It is learnt that the ministry has already sanctioned Rs 133.70 crore to the state.

While the Adityanath government’s stated objective behind the installation of the grand Lord Ram statue may be to promote Ayodhya as a religious tourism destination, the obviously political motivations behind the move cannot be discounted.

Ever since the BJP began its victory march at the hustings with its victory in the May 2014 general elections and following it up with a landslide mandate in Uttar Pradesh earlier this year, the party’s efforts of reviving its narrative for building a grand Ram Temple at the site where its leaders led a mob to demolish the Babri Masjid in 1992 have accelerated.

Last month, Uttar Pradesh health minister Sidharth Nath Singh had quoted an astrologer while asserting that the Ram Temple will be built before 2019. Chief minister Adityanath has himself been unwavering in his support for building a Ram Temple at the disputed site while the plan is also known to have the blessings of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP and RSS leadership.

The destruction of the Babri Masjid by a Hindu mob that was led by BJP veterans like LK Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and Uma Bharati (all of whom are currently facing criminal charges in an ongoing case related to the demolition in the Supreme Court) had triggered nationwide Hindu-Muslim riots in 1992. The riots also helped the BJP gain national prominence. In the years since, the party has never shied away from asserting that it would ensure the construction of a Ram Temple on the ground where the Babri Masjid once stood – which the BJP and its sympathizers claim was actually the site of an ancient temple built to mark the birthplace of the Hindu god.

While the Supreme Court is expected to begin proceedings in December on a bunch of petitions filed by various organisations that support and oppose the construction of a Ram Temple at the disputed site, it is expected that the BJP – with its brute majority both at the Centre and in UP – would begin the groundwork for projecting Ayodhya as the reported Ram Janmbhoomi before the apex court can even dispose of the case, one way or the other. The plan to erect the Ram statue appears to be part of this larger design.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

India News

Women’s quota bill fails in Lok Sabha as it falls short of two-thirds majority

Women’s reservation proposal failed in Lok Sabha after securing 298 votes, below the required two-thirds majority

Published

9 hours ago

on

April 17, 2026

By

Parliament

Government secures 298 votes in favour, 230 against; proposal does not pass constitutional threshold

The proposed amendment related to women’s reservation failed to pass in the Lok Sabha on Friday after the government could not secure the required two-thirds majority.

The bill received 298 votes in favour and 230 against, falling short of the constitutional threshold needed for passage. As a constitutional amendment, it required the support of at least two-thirds of members present and voting.

Despite securing a simple majority, the government was unable to gather sufficient support to meet this requirement.

Debate continues over two days

The discussion on the bill extended late into Thursday and continued on Friday, with members from both sides participating in the debate on women’s representation in legislative bodies.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged members to support the proposal, calling for wider consensus on the issue.

Implications of the outcome

The failure of the bill underscores the challenges in securing broad political agreement on constitutional amendments, especially those related to representation and electoral reforms.

The proposal was aimed at advancing women’s representation in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, an issue that has remained under discussion for several years.

Continue Reading

India News

Rahul Gandhi faces FIR order as Allahabad High Court acts on dual citizenship plea

High Court allows plea in Rahul Gandhi citizenship case, paving the way for further legal process.

Published

12 hours ago

on

April 17, 2026

By

Rahul Gandhi

The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court has allowed a petition seeking legal action in connection with allegations related to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s citizenship status, marking a fresh development in the case.

The petition was filed by a political worker, who had approached the court seeking directions for registration of a case over claims that Gandhi may have held foreign citizenship. The High Court, while hearing the matter, passed directions for further proceedings in accordance with law.

The development comes after a special MP/MLA court in Lucknow had earlier declined to order registration of an FIR, reportedly observing that it lacked jurisdiction in matters concerning citizenship.

Background

The case is linked to allegations that Rahul Gandhi may have held British citizenship. Under Indian law, dual citizenship is not permitted. However, these claims remain part of the petitioner’s submissions and have not been established by any court.

During earlier hearings, the High Court had sought records and considered material presented by the parties involved.

What happens next

With the High Court allowing the plea, the matter is expected to proceed as per due legal process. This may involve examination by the appropriate authority and further judicial review at subsequent stages.

The case carries both legal and political significance given Rahul Gandhi’s role as Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha.

Continue Reading

India News

Pawan Khera faces fresh setback as Supreme Court refuses relief in passport row case

Congress leader Pawan Khera faces fresh setback as Supreme Court refuses interim relief and directs him to seek bail from Guwahati High Court.

Published

16 hours ago

on

April 17, 2026

By

Pawan Khera

Congress leader Pawan Khera suffered another legal setback on Friday after the Supreme Court of India declined to extend protection in a case linked to his remarks about Himanta Biswa Sarma’s wife.

A bench of the apex court refused to interfere with an earlier order that had stayed the transit anticipatory bail granted to Khera by the Telangana High Court. This decision leaves the Congress leader open to possible arrest by Assam Police in connection with the case.

During the hearing, Khera’s counsel sought interim protection, but the court declined the request and advised him to approach the appropriate court in Assam for relief. The bench clarified that the Guwahati High Court should decide any bail plea independently and on its merits.

“Am I a terrorist?” remark during hearing

While seeking protection, Khera’s legal team expressed concern over the urgency of the situation. In court, his counsel remarked, “Am I a terrorist?” highlighting the plea for temporary relief until a fresh bail application could be filed.

The Supreme Court also raised concerns over the submission of incorrect documents during the proceedings, adding another layer to the legal complications faced by the Congress leader.

Case linked to remarks on CM’s wife

The case stems from a press conference held earlier this month, where Khera made allegations regarding the citizenship status and financial assets of the Assam Chief Minister’s wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sharma.

He had claimed that she possessed multiple passports and owned undisclosed overseas properties. These allegations were strongly denied by the Chief Minister’s family, who termed them fabricated and misleading.

Legal battle intensifies

Earlier, the Telangana High Court had granted Khera temporary transit anticipatory bail, allowing him time to seek relief from a competent court in Assam. However, the Supreme Court stayed that order following a challenge by Assam authorities, escalating the legal battle.

With the latest ruling, Khera is now expected to move the Guwahati High Court for anticipatory bail as the case continues to unfold.

Continue Reading

Trending

© Copyright 2022 APNLIVE.com