Nritya Gopal Das said the cost of the temple construction will be met from donations only
A day after Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas chief Nritya Gopal Das was named the chairman of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerath Kshetra Trust, he claimed more land will be acquired for the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya if required.
Talking exclusively to news agency IANS on Thursday, Mr Das said the Ram Janmabhoomi movement has finally culminated and a grand temple will be built at the birth place of Lord Ram.
On being made the chairman of the temple trust, Mr Das said he will discharge his responsibility with the utmost honesty.
According to him, the next meeting of the trust will deliberate on the model and design of the temple.
The temple trust chairman clarified that only those stones will be used for the temple construction which have been kept for the purpose. More stones will be brought if required, he said.
About 70 per cent work of the temple construction has been completed. The next meeting will be held after Holi in consultation with Nripendra Mishra, former principal secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has been chosen chairman of the Ram Temple Complex Development Committee.
Nritya Gopal Das said the cost of the temple construction will be met from donations only and no government help will be sought.
"Most probably the work of temple construction will start in 6 months from now, and since the temple will be a grand one, it may take more than two years to complete," he said, adding, "when CM Yogi and PM Modi are associated with the work of the temple construction, you can imagine how grand it will be. It will definitely meet the aspirations of the devotees."
"If there is a need, we will acquire more land for temple construction. We will write to UP government if required," he said.
Mr Das brushed aside the objection of some seers who raised questions about the composition of the trust. He said when the temple will be constructed, the entire Hindu society will feel proud of it.
On the question of objection to the trust by Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar, Mr Das said, "Sharad Pawar can help Muslims build a mosque if he wants. Here we are working for the construction of Ram temple only. We don't bother about him."