New Delhi: Politics over Lord Ram is back in focus with Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday announcing that Faizabad district will be renamed as Ayodhya. The chief minister also announced a slew of development projects for the city during his visit to Ayodhya on Diwali eve.

A hospital named after King Dashratha and a new airport named after Lord Ram will be built in the city, Adityanath announced at a public meeting in the twin cities of Ayodhya-Faizabad.

“Ayodhya is the symbol of our pride and honour. Ayodhya is known to the world because of Lord Ram. From today onwards, Faizabad will be called Ayodhya (with the entire area of the twin cities now having one name). A medical college will be established in Ayodhya. We will also construct an airport," he said.

The state government had recently renamed Allahabad as Prayagraj. It also plans to construct a 151-metre statue of Lord Ram on the banks of the Sarayu river.

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government at the centre under Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also facing pressure from some members of Parliament, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) to start construction of the Ram temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya.

The posturing by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) comes in the run-up to the assembly elections in five states, including Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, where the BJP will be trying to retain power, as well as Mizoram and Telangana.

Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter.

Share Via