UP Deputy CM Maurya Backs Champat Rai on Ram Temple Remarks, Calls Controversy Overblown

Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya has defended Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust general secretary Champat Rai over his recent remarks regarding the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, stating that the controversy surrounding the statement is being unnecessarily magnified.

Speaking to reporters in Lucknow on Tuesday, Maurya said, 'The comments made by Champat Rai ji have been taken out of context. The trust is doing commendable work in building the temple, and such petty issues should not be blown out of proportion.'

The controversy erupted after Rai's purported remarks about the temple's construction timeline and the inclusion of certain rituals were interpreted by some as a deviation from earlier commitments. Opposition parties had criticised the trust for what they called a 'lack of transparency' and 'deliberate delays'.

Champat Rai, however, clarified that his statements were misrepresented and that the temple construction is proceeding as per the planned schedule. He reiterated the trust's commitment to completing the project by the end of 2024.

Maurya's backing of Rai underscores the Bharatiya Janata Party's support for the trust, which is overseeing the construction of the Ram Temple—a project that holds significant political and religious importance for the ruling party. The deputy chief minister also urged the media to avoid sensationalising the issue and to focus on the positive developments surrounding the temple.

Meanwhile, the Congress party and other opposition groups have continued to question the trust's handling of the project. Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said, 'The trust should maintain transparency and not hide behind political support. The people of India deserve to know the exact status of the temple construction.'

The Ram Temple in Ayodhya is being built on the site where the Babri Masjid once stood, following a landmark Supreme Court verdict in 2019 that cleared the way for construction. The project has been a central promise of the BJP, and its completion is seen as a major achievement for the party.