Ram Mandir Bhoomi Pujan: Covid-19 Fear Haunts
Ayodhya is frenzy of activity is a build up to the ultimate event of the city – starting the construction of Ram Mandir. With entire city decked up for the event scheduled for August 5, the people and officials are all about Ram Mandir. Entire city has been made up as the Ayodhya describer in Ramayan and waiting for the D-day. But alas, the Covid-19 might play a spoil sport for the Hindu’s biggest event!
The much awaited Ram Mandir construction activity at Ayodhya is scheduled to start with Bhoomi Pujan on August 5, but there seems to be a great sense of fear about the Covid-19 infections and the aftermath of the event! With Union Home Minster Amit Shah being tested positive for Covid-19, and many more big names lined up, there is general feeling that the fear of the deadly virus is shadowing the biggest event of Hindus!
The problem with Union Home Minister being affected by Covid-19 is that we have to trace whom all he had met over the last two weeks. It is said he has met all the top leaders of UP Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), as well as many Union ministers. He has also been in meeting that was headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as well. So this is the fear factor for all the people. All the more for people who are planning for Bhoomi Pujan with the PM!
It is well known fact that Amit Shah had taken part in a cabinet meeting at the PM’s residence on Wednesday, July 29. According to media reports, government sources claim that “there is a strict protocol at PM’s residence since the last few months due to coronavirus”, and that “temperature checks, Aarogya Setu checks, no use of internal cars to ferry people, are some of the measures that have been adopted”.
The health department in Delhi and central government are on the task of trace all the people who have come into contact with Amit Shah. It is unclear who the Home Minister and the UP party head have come in contact with over the last few days. Neither the Ministry of Home Affairs, Prime Minister’s Office or the BJP has so far confirmed if Prime Minister Narendra Modi may have met Amit Shah recently.
The issue is that Amit Shah was planning to visit the Ram Mandir Bhoomi Pujan scheduled in Ayodhya on August 5. Now he will be unable to attend the grand event. It is also important that none of the other leaders who he may have been in touch with in the government, BJP or the Sangh parivar should attend the ceremony.
It already known that Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to attend the event and lay the foundation stone. The construction of the Ram Mandi has long been a poll promise for Modi and the BJP.
Meanwhile, Senior BJP leader Uma Bharti on Monday said that she will travel to Ayodhya but not attend the foundation-laying ceremony of the Ram temple on August 5 because of the risk of catching the Covid-19. “I am worried about Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other people who have to attend the groundbreaking ceremony after coming to know that Amit Shah and several BJP leaders from Uttar Pradesh have tested positive for the coronavirus,” Bharti wrote on Twitter. “I will leave Bhopal today [Monday]. I may come into contact with an infected person by the time I reach Ayodhya Tuesday evening.”
मै भोपाल से आज रवाना होऊंगी । कल शाम अयोध्या पहुँचने तक मेरी किसी संक्रमित व्यक्ति से मुलाकात हो सकती हैं ऐसी स्थिति में जहाँ @narendramodi और सेकडो लोग उपस्थित हो मै उस स्थान से दूरी रखूँगी । तथा @narendramodi और सभी समूह के चले जाने के बाद ही मै रामलला के दर्शन करने पहुँचूँगी।
— Uma Bharti (@umasribharti) August 3, 2020
On August 5, Modi will install a silver brick at the site where the temple is supposed to be built. Tight security arrangements have put in place Ayodhya. The local administration will also implement strict Covid-19 safety measures.
Now Covid-19 fear looming large, the final attendees of the Bhoomi Pujan will be known only when we get to look at the participants on August 5. Until then it is people’s guess as who will make it and who will miss it!
