'This Is Not Triumph of A Religion': Assam CM Sarma's Appeal to Muslims, Christians For Ram's 'Pran Pratistha'

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday urged people of all faiths to hold special prayers on the occasion of the Ram temple consecration on Monday to promote harmony.

“The Pran Pratistha of Lord Ram in Ayodhya is not a triumph of Hinduism, but of Indian civilisation. All should offer prayers in their own way to ensure communal harmony and brotherhood in the state,” Sarma said at a press conference.

He also called on people across the state to light lamps outside their homes, shops and business establishments as well as visit ‘namghars’ (community prayer halls) on Monday evening after the consecration ceremony in Ayodhya.

“People of all religions should participate in the Pran Pratistha ceremony. I also appeal to people to maintain harmony in the state,” Sarma said.

“An aggressor broke an Indian place of worship. Babar was an aggressor. He did not attack just Hindus. There is no difference between British colonialists and Babar. Babar was a foreign power,” said Assam CM.

If possible, people should fast tomorrow till the consecration is over, the CM said. All government offices, shops and commercial establishments will be closed for half a day on Monday, he said.

Government schools, colleges and universities will remain closed for the day, while private educational institutions have also been urged to declare a holiday, Sarma said.

A dry day has also been declared on Monday, and shops selling non-vegetarian food items will remain closed till 4 pm, he added.

COUNTDOWN BEGINS

With just a day for the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Shri Ram Lala at the newly constructed Ram temple in Ayodhya, preparations are in full swing for the mega event in the sacred city.

Thousands of VIP guests have received invitations from Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust for the ceremony scheduled for January 22.

While about 8,000 people are on the long list of invitees, the 506 A-listers included prominent politicians, leading industrialists, top film stars, sportspersons, diplomats, judges and high priests.

Among politicians, while most ministers and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders–who received the invitation–are expected to attend the grand ceremony, the majority of the opposition parties, which are part of the Indian National Democratic Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), have decided to skip the event.

(with PTI inputs)