Advani, Joshi Invited To Attend Ram Temple Event After Backlash

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad on Tuesday said it has invited Lal Krishna Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi for the consecration ceremony of the Ram Mandir.

The Vishwa Hindu Parsihad on Tuesday said it has extended invitation to BJP veterans Lal Krishna Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi to attend the consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple scheduled to be held next month. The development comes after a backlash following the remark of Ram Temple Trust general secretary Champat Rai stating that both the leaders were 'requested' not to come to the ceremony due to their old age.

"Invited respected Lal Krishna Advani ji and respected Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi ji, the pioneer of Ram Mandir movement, to attend the Pran Pratishtha program of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya on 22 January 2024," said the right wing outfit in a post on X after BJP suffered backlash following Rai's statement. 

"Both the seniors said they will make every effort to come," said Alok Kumar, VHP's International Executive President. 

Earlier in the day, Champat Rai told reporters, "Both are elders of the family and considering their age, they were requested not to come, which was accepted by both."

While Advani is now 96, Joshi will turn 90 next month.

Speaking to reporters in Ayodhya, Rai said that the preparations were in full swing for the ceremony to be held in January 22, which will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

A three-member team has been formed to visit former prime minister Deve Gowda and invite him to the ceremony, Rai said, according to a PTI report. 

"Shankaracharyas of six darshanas (ancient schools) and around 150 saints and sages and will participate in the ceremony," he added. 

About 4,000 saints and 2,200 are invited for the ceremony, he said. 

Among the eminent personalities that have been invited include:Spiritual leader Dalai Lama, Mata Amritanandamayi of Kerala, yoga guru Baba Ramdev, cine stars Rajnikanth, Amitabh Bachchan, Madhuri Dixit, Arun Govil, film director Madhur Bhandarkar and prominent industrialists such as Mukesh Ambani, Anil Ambani, famous painter Vasudev Kamat, ISRO Director Nilesh Desai.