Union Minister Mahesh Sharma rakes up Ayodhya issue, says Centre committed to the construction of Ram temple

Ahead of the elections in Uttar Pradesh in 2017, Union Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma has yet again raked up the Ram temple issue. Sharma claimed that the Central government is committed to the construction of the temple in Ayodhya where the Babri masjid was demolished back in 1992.

"People are committed to build Ram Temple in Ayodhya. A Ram museum is already being made," he said adding that the Centre has sanctioned Rs 170 crore to build a Ram Museum in the city.

However, he later also said "we want the temple but the party will follow the court order. Till the decision is pending in court I cannot say anything."

Refusing to comment on the same, BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said, "the issue is in court and it is not a political case."

Meanwhile, the Congress has hit out at the Centre accusing them of polarising communities ahead of elections. The party has also called for an investigation into the funds collected by right wing groups over the years for the construction of the Ram temple.

"There should be an inquiry into what happened to all the funds collected over the years for construction of Ram Temple," Congress leader Manish Tewari said.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has held a meeting with senior officials after tension flared up in Ayodhya. The CM has directed officials to take steps to maintain law and order in the town. The situation is tense in Ayodhya after the arrival of two stone-laden trucks allegedly for the construction of Ram temple.

The trucks arrived almost six months after Vishwa Hindu Parishad announced its nationwide drive to collect stones for construction of Ram temple. "Two trucks of stones have been unloaded at Ram Sewak Puram, a VHP property in Ayodhya, and 'Shila Pujan' (praying of the stones) has been performed by Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, the president of Ram Janam Bhumi Nyas," VHP spokesman Sharad Sharma had said.

Asserting its resolve to build the Ram temple, the VHP had in June announced a nationwide drive to collect stones for construction of the temple and had also asked the Muslim community not to pose any hindrance.