Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust secretary Champat Rai on Monday said that while the presence of BJP veteran leaders LK Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi at Ram Temple Pran Pratishtha ceremony was necessary, it was not appropriate for them to come given their age and health conditions.
On being asked whether Advani and Joshi would be attending the consecration ceremony in Ayodhya on January 22, Rai said: “Advani ji ka hona anivarya hai, aur hum yeh bhi kahenge ki who kripya na ayen. (While Advani ji’s presence was essential, we would like to say that he shouldn’t come).”
“Advani ji ko dekha hai ki nahi? Advani ki aayu mein aap pahunch payenge ki nahi. “Dr Joshi se meri swayam varta hui hai. Main phone pe kehta raha aap mat aaiye, aur who jidd karte rahe main aaunga… Main baar baar nivedan karta raha ki Guruji aap mat aayiye, aapki aayu, sardi…. apne ghutne badalwayen hain (Have you all not seen Advani? Will you be able to go at Advani’s age? I spoke with Joshi on the phone. I kept telling him don’t come, but he was adamant and kept saying that he would come. I kept requesting him not to come Guruji considering his age, the winter… He got his knees replaced),” Rai said.