VHP Extends Invite to LK Advani, MM Joshi For Ayodhya Ram Temple Consecration, But Attendance Uncertain

New Delhi: Veteran leaders L.K. Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi, key figures in the Ram Temple movement, received invitations from the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) to attend the consecration ceremony in Ayodhya on January 22, 2024. Alok Kumar, a member of the VHP, announced the invitations, stating that both leaders, pioneers of the Ram Mandir movement, expressed their commitment to attend.

हिंदुत्व के पुरोधा, श्रेष्ठ विचारक डॉ मुरली मनोहर जोशी से 17 दिसंबर को राष्ट्रीय स्वयंसेवक संघ के अखिल भारतीय सम्पर्क प्रमुख श्री राम लाल जी व विश्व हिंदू परिषद के अंतराष्ट्रीय कार्याध्यक्ष श्री आलोक कुमार ने 22 जनवरी 2023 के श्री राम प्राण-प्रतिष्ठा अयोध्या के कार्यक्रम के लिए… pic.twitter.com/i1lmEWQjeV

— Vishva Hindu Parishad -VHP (@VHPDigital) December 19, 2023

However, conflicting reports emerged as the Ram Temple Trust’s general secretary, Champat Rai, stated a day earlier that Advani (96) and Joshi (89) were unlikely to attend due to health and age concerns. Rai mentioned that respecting their age, both leaders were urged not to attend, a request they reportedly accepted.

The consecration ceremony’s preparations are slated for completion by January 15, with the ‘praan pratistha’ puja commencing on January 16 and continuing until January 22. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the newly constructed temple on January 22.