PM Modi underlined the importance of social distancing and masks during Bhoomi Pujan

August 5: The temple town of Ayodhya was dressed as if in a bridal attire on the day of Bhoomi Pujan of the Ram Temple. Participating in the Bhoomi Pujan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing the gathering to chants of “Jai Shri Ram” said, “It is an emotional moment for India. A long wait ends today. A grand temple will now be built for Lord Ram who had been living under a tent for many years.”

PM Modi reiterated the mantra to fight coronavirus. “Do gaj ki doori, mask hai zaroori (A distance of two yards and wearing masks is necessary),” said the PM, who was wearing a golden dhoti kurta and a white mask during the grand ceremony.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Mohan Bhagwat – the chief of the BJP’s ideological mentor Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and around 170 spiritual leaders attended the ceremony. BJP veterans LK Advani – who led the Ram temple movement in the 1990s – and Murli Manohar Joshi watched through video-conference because of coronavirus precautions.

In his speech, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat remembered LK Advani, the face of the Ram temple movement in the 1990s, in his speech and acknowledged that many who sacrificed couldn’t be here because of the coronavirus situation.