It is also being seen as the virtual launch of the deeply religious strongman Modi’s re-election campaign for general elections due by May.
India's majority Hindus say the site is the birthplace of Lord Ram, and was holy to them long before Muslim Mughals razed a temple at the spot and built the Babri Masjid or mosque there in 1528.
Some of India’s top business leaders, movie actors and sportspersons have also been invited for the consecration, organisers said.
The inauguration has also sparked a political controversy with major opposition parties, including the main opposition Congress, declining invitations to attend saying it had been converted into a political, Modi event.
“The construction of the temple is going on as per the direction of the Supreme Court, so we welcome it.
Persons:
Saurabh Sharma, Rajesh AYODHYA, Lord Ram, Narendra Modi, Modi’s, Modi, ” Modi, “, ”, Prithvi Datta Chandra Shobhi, Zufar Ahmad Faruqi, Shivam Patel, YP Rajesh, Raju Gopalakrishnan
Organizations:
Bharatiya Janata Party, BJP, Supreme Court, Krea University, Islamic, Foundation, YP
Locations:
India, Ayodhya