Ayodhya Ram temple inauguration: Devendra Fadnavis posts his pic with Ayodhya-bound karsevaks at Nagpur railway station

Pic/X@Dev_Fadnavis

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday posted a picture of himself at the Nagpur railway station where he is seen with karsevaks going to Ayodhya Ram temple inauguration, saying it brings back old memories, reported news agency PTI.

The much-awaited Ram temple consecration will be held in Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya city on Monday in a grand ceremony with Prime Minister Narendra Modi attending the rituals, following which the shrine will be opened for the public a day later.

"When the consecration ceremony is happening in Ayodhya tomorrow, this picture brings back old memories," Fadnavis said while sharing the picture on his X social media handle.

The 53-year-old BJP leader said the picture was sent to him by the Nagpur-based daily Navbharat. The photograph was published in the newspaper.

Asked about Fadnavis' post, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut told reporters in Nashik, "We don't need to give proofs. Questioning Shiv Sena's contribution to the Ram Mandir movement is childish. The picture is taken at the Nagpur railway station while we have photos of Shiv Sainiks on the dome (apparently referring to Babri mosque) in Ayodhya," reported PTI.

The Ayodhya Ram temple inauguration is being held after the first phase of the temple's construction, made possible by a historic Supreme Court judgment in 2019 on the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title suit.

The Hindu litigants argued that the Babri Mosque was constructed at the site of a temple marking the birthplace of Lord Ram.

In 1992, the 16th century mosque was demolished by 'karsevaks'.

Meanwhile, thousands of earthen lamps were lit up in the shape of Hindi words 'Siyavar Ramchandra Ki Jai' at a ground in Maharashtra's Chandrapur city ahead of the consecration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. Maharashtra cabinet minister Sudhir Mungantiwar along with his family members performed a pooja before the devotees of Lord Ram lit up the earthen lamps (diyas) here late Saturday evening.

The event was held at the Chanda Club ground, where several saffron flags were also put up to mark the celebration of the Ram temple consecration to be held in Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya city on Monday.

(With inputs from PTI)