Uddhav Thackeray should refrain from promoting a particular religious activity: NCP MP

As the Ram Mandir trends across the political circle, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) - one of the key constituents of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government - advised Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray to not promote a particular religious activity. 

NCP MP Majeed Memon recently stated that the Shiv Sena chief was invited for the ‘bhoomi pujan’ ceremony for Ram Mandir construction in Ayodhya which is tentatively scheduled to happen on August 5. 

Although Memon said that Thackeray was free to visit Ayodhya in his personal capacity, he advised the Chief Minister to refrain from promoting a particular religious activity. 

“Uddhav Thackeray is among invitees for bhoomi pujan of Ram Temple. He may participate respecting Covid 19 restrictions in his  personal capacity.  The head of a secular democracy should refrain from promoting a particular religious activity (sic),” Memon tweeted. 

Uddhav Thakrey is among invitees for bhoomi pujan of Ram Temple. He may participate respecting Covid 19 restrictions in his personal capacity. The head of a secular democracy should refrain from promoting a particular religious activity..

— Majeed Memon (@advmajeedmemon) July 21, 2020

Along with Thackeray, Former Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani along with senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi, Bajrang Dal founder Vinay Katiyar and Umar Bharti will also be invited to the ceremony. 

Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teertha Kshetra Trust had earlier confirmed that it has invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to lay the foundation stone for the Ram temple construction in Ayodhya. The spokesperson said that they have decided August 5 to be the date to conduct the ceremony. 

The trust intends to invite key persons and organisations who were involved in the Ram Mandir construction movement which started off in 1992 with Advani leading the Rath Yatra across India to reach Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh. 

On Monday, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut said that his party played an important role in paving the way for Ram Mandir construction. He said that Sena laid the road for the Ram temple construction in Ayodhya not for political, but out of faith. 

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