Ram Gopal Yadav, a leader of the Samajwadi Party, sparked controversy recently with his comments regarding the Ram temple in Ayodhya. Yadav called the Ram Mandir "bekaar (useless)" as it has not been properly constructed. The remark has not gone down well with the BJP, with the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath calling it an “insult to the Sanatan faith of millions of Ram devotees”.
The Ram Mandir in Ayodhya was inaugurated in January this year, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading the 'Pran Pratishtha' rituals. Opposition leaders had slammed the politics around the temple and opted to skip the mega event.
He then went on to say "Wo mandir bekaar ka hai (That temple is useless)" as he criticised the 'vastu' of the Ayodhya temple. Vastu shastra is an ancient science that deals with the study of designing spaces in an interpersonal relationship with the forces of nature and cosmic energy.
In response, Chief Minister Adityanath condemned Yadav's remarks, stating that they not only disrespect the sentiments of millions of devotees but also challenge the divine authority of Lord Shri Ram.
"Ram Gopal Yadav's statement is an insult to the Sanatan faith of millions of Ram devotees. The faith of those who have dedicated their entire lives to the Ram Temple is being attacked. Indian society cannot accept this at all," he added.