Ram Mandir Inauguration: All Educational Institutions in UP to Remain Closed on Jan 22

Lucknow: Considering the "emotional significance" of people with the consecration ceremony of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has termed the occasion as a 'national festival' and has directed all educational institutions in the state to take a holiday on January 22

Terming this occasion as “special”, CM said that liquor shops should be kept closed in the state on January 22.

"Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has given instructions to declare a holiday in all educational institutions across the state on January 22, in view of the Ram Temple 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony," says an official release. 

The Pran Pratishtha ceremony of the new idol of Ram Lalla at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya is scheduled for January 22. It will be officiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Prime Minister has also encouraged people to light a 'Shri Ram Jyoti' in their homes and celebrate Deepavali on January 22, to celebrate the Pran Pratishtha ceremony, which will take place during the auspicious Sanjeevani Yoga. 

Reacting on the decision to close all educational institutions in the state on January 22, social activist Sandeep Pandey, recipient of the Ramon Magsaysay award, told NewsClick, "The way the government machinery is being used in the temple construction programme is in itself against the Constitution of the country. Using religion as a political weapon or for advancing a political agenda is not right. It is not right what the ruling government is doing, it's purely political."

He said, "India is a secular country, and it is not the job of the government to inaugurate the temple. What does it mean for the government to be involved in any religious event? The temple is being built as part of a political campaign. People's sentiments are being politicised in the name of the temple, which is absolutely wrong.”

The well-known social activist said, “The job of the government is to promote education, but by closing the schools the government is doing just the opposite. And when the programme is taking place in Ayodhya, then what is the justification for closing all the educational institutions in the state?"

Earlier, the Uttar Pradesh Transport Department was issued instructions to play Ram Bhajans in the public address systems installed in Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) buses until January 22.

After a review meeting with officials regarding the consecration ceremony in Ayodhya, the CM also directed organisation of programmes such as bhajans, recitation of the Ramayana and Ramcharitmanas, and Sundarkand in the temples of Ayodhya from January 14.

"The broadcast will include various artists' renditions of popular devotional songs related to Lord Ram, in addition to bhajans and hymns that are popular among people today as well as devotional songs sung by local singers," the press release said.

All the state departments are contributing in different ways for their respective participation. “Instructions have also been issued to play 'Ram Dhun' in transport buses due to which passengers are very happy, an official said. 

Notably, the saffron government has declared a complete ban on the sale of liquor and meat within the radius of Panch Kosi Parikrama area in Ayodhya and adjoining areas

The UP authorities cracked down on meat shops in Ayodhya recently, which has not only put an end to their means of livelihood but has also left them staring at a bleak future, NewsClick reported earlier.