In a latest on the Ram temple row, a senior Uttar Pradesh police officer has landed himself into a controversy after allegedly taking an oath at an event to construct the temple in Ayodhya at the earliest.

In the video accessed by India Today, Director General (Home Guards) Surya Kumar Shukla can be seen taking a pledge along-with others at a Lucknow University event.

The event was organised by the Akhil Bharatiya Samagra Vichar Manch on January 28, where the DG participated in a discussion titled Ram temple construction: Problem and Solution.

'NEVER SAID SO'

Calling it a case of misinterpretation, DG Shukla has clarified that he never spoke of or took an oath for the Ram temple issue as it sub-judice.

He said, "The pledge was for communal harmony and not Ram temple. What was said is being shown out of context... "

But the video shows him chanting, "We Ram-bhakts, today, as part of this programme, take this pledge that at the earliest, the Ram Mandir be constructed. Jai Shri Ram."

YOGI SEEKS REPORT

Now, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has sought an explanation from the DG over the matter.

Demanding strict action against him, Congress leader Pramod Tiwari said, "Matter is still pending in the Supreme Court and if the DG has made such a comment in public then strict action should be taken."

A 1982 batch IPS officer, Surya Kumar Shukla is due to retire next year.

Watch: UP DG's Ram Temple oath sparks row, top cop says comments misrepresented