New Delhi: Taking a dig at the BJP-led government at the Centre, Congress veteran Digvijaya Singh flagged queries over the old idol of Ram Lalla (Lord Ram in his childhood) and questioned the decision to place a new idol in the sanctum sanctorum of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya that is set to be inaugurated on January 22, news agency ANI reported.
He also said that he does not need an invitation from anyone to visit the newly-constructed temple as Lord Ram resides in his heart.
Speaking to ANI, Digvijaya Singh said, “Where is the idol of Ram Lalla over which the conflict happened? Why has the old idol not been consecrated? Where is the new idol coming from? What is the need for a new idol?”
"I do not need anyone's invitation to have darshan of Lord Ram. Lord Ram is in our hearts,” he added.
It is to be noted that the Ram Lalla idol carved by Karnataka’s renowned sculptor Arun Yogiraj will be installed in the Ayodhya Temple.
Taking to X, Union minister Pralhad Joshi wrote, “The selection of the idol for the Prana Pratishtapana of Lord Rama in Ayodhya has been finalized. The idol of Lord Rama, carved by renowned sculptor of our country Yogiraj Arun, will be installed in Ayodhya.”
Preparations are in full swing for the grand consecration ceremony which is expected to be attended by thousands of dignitaries and devotees.
Vedic rituals for the consecration will begin from January 16, a week before the main event.
Meanwhile, hitting back at Digvijaya Singh over his remarks on Ram Lalla, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said the Congress didn’t take any step on the Ram Temple issue when they held the administrative reins of the country.
“What steps did Congress take regarding Ram Temple when they were in power? They did nothing. On the other hand, PM Modi left no stone unturned in making Ram Temple a reality... People fought for hundreds of years waiting for this moment... PM Modi fulfilled all his promises,” Sonowal told ANI.