Prime Minister Narendra Modi today announced in parliament a trust to oversee the construction of a Ram Temple in Ayodhya, as ordered by the Supreme Court.
"I am pleased to announce that a significant decision has been taken to follow the directives of the Supreme Court. As per the directions of the Supreme Court, the cabinet has prepared a detailed plan for the construction of Ram Temple at Ayodhya. My government has decided to set up a trust called Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Teertha kshetra, which will take decisions independently on the construction of a Ram temple and related issues," PM Modi said in the Lok Sabha.
"Let us all support construction of grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya," he said, to desk-thumping and shouts of "Jai Shri Ram" from the government benches.
The Prime Minister said the decision had been taken in line with the Supreme Court's historic decision in November that the disputed land in Ayodhya belonged entirely to the deity Ram Lalla or infant Lord Ram. The court had also said five acres of land should be given for a mosque at a prominent site in the holy town to the Sunni Waqf Board.
PM Modi also said the Uttar Pradesh government had agreed to hand over land in Ayodhya to the Waqf Board. Sources say no political party is part of the temple trust.The Supreme Court had given the government a three-month timeline to set up a trust for a temple at the site where the 16th century Babri mosque stood before it was razed by Hindu activists in December 1992.
Two days before the Delhi election, questions have been raised about whether the announcement was a violation of the model code of conduct.
The Election Commission said no permission was required as, going by the Supreme Court order, the deadline for the trust is February 9 (Sunday, a day after voting in Delhi) and the government has to file a compliance report before this.