"Had it not been for PM Modi, Ram Mandir wouldn't have been built": Acharya Pramod Krishnam

Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh) [India], January 21 : Coming out in glowing praise of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress leader Acharya Pramod Krishnam on Sunday said had it not been for him, Ram Mandir would never have been a reality.
The Congress has often taken pot shots at the BJP with the 'Mandir wahi baneyenge par tareek nahin batayenge (they will raise a temple but wouldn't set a date for it) barb.
Under the leadership of Prime Minuister Modi, the Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court came out with a landmark ruling, settling the age-old Ram Janmabhoomi title suit in favour of the Hindu side.
Speaking to ANI on Sunday, the Congress leader also acknowledged the 'sacrifices' of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal members to take the Ram Temple Movement to a logical conclusion.
"The temple was raised after the country's highest court settled the title dispute once and for all. After a long battle and a landmark ruling of the Supreme Court, giving primacy to the findings of the archaeological survey, Lord Ram will return to his birthplace tomorrow. Had it not been for PM Modi, this temple would never have been built. This is why I wish to give the entire credit for the making of the Ram Mandir and the 'Pran Pratishtha' of Ram Lalla to PM Modi. Many governments were elected and several PMs came and went but none showed the political will to end the 500-year wait for the Ram Temple. Members of the VHP and Bajrang Dal, too, made plenty of sacrifices but this temple would never have been a reality, if Modi wasn't PM," the Congress leader said.
Also praising Prime Minister Modi for his 11-day Anushthan, during which he has embraced certain rigorous religious practices and is keeping a fast while visiting shrines and sites associated with Lord Ram across the country, Acharya Krishnam said, "From Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehrum till today, the country has seen many PMs. But none made such a big effort to fulfil a long-held demand or wish. I commend the prime minister for this work."
Taking a dig at Opposition leaders for turning down invitations to the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony in Ayodhya, the Congress leader said it was 'unfortunate', as declining an opportunity to be part of an event featuring Lord Ram was akin to insulting Indian culture.
"I see it as a matter of grave misfortune. No follower of the Christian faith or a priest, or a Muslim preacher can ever turn down an invitation from Lord Ram. The deity resides in our soul and transcends faith. The country cannot be imagined without Him. Rejecting Prabhu Ram's invitation means insulting Indian culture. It is akin to casting aspersions on the country's identity and civilisational ethos. This is why Mahatma Gandhi dreamt of a 'Ram Rajya' and the Congress, which is a party that espouses his ideals, cannot be anti-Ram. Therefore, I would urge all Opposition parties to unite against the BJP but not against Lord Ram and Sanatan," he said.
Defending his visit to Ayodhya for the 'Pran Pratishtha' on Monday, the senior Congress leader said he considered himself fortunate to have received an invitation to the event.
"I consider myself to be fortunate to have received an invitation to the 'Pran Pratishtha' of Lord Ram. Looking at how Ayodhya has transformed, I feel priviliged to be here. It must be the result of some good deeds in my previous life. The difference between the Ayodhya of today and the one of yore is the same as between darkness and light," he added.