Despite All ‘Pressure’, we Stand by Our Decision on Article 370, Citizenship Amendment Act: PM Modi in Varanasi

The Prime Minister also announced that the government will hand over the 67-acre land acquired in Ayodhya to the newly formed Ram Temple trust, set up by the Centre

New Delhi: Amid the ongoing protest across the country over the amended citizenship law, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that the government stands by its decision on the new legislation. “For years, India had been waiting for decisions like repealing Article 370 and introduction of CAA. These decisions were necessary in interest of the country. Despite all the pressure, we stood our ground over these decisions and will remain so”, the Prime Minister said after inaugurating the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Memorial Centre in Padao on the Varanasi-Chandauli border on Sunday.

Besides, the Prime Minister also announced that the government will hand over the 67-acre land acquired in Ayodhya to the newly formed Ram Temple trust, set up by the Centre to  look into the construction and management of the temple. On the Supreme Court’s directive, the Narendra Modi-led government had recently set up the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra to oversee the construction of the ‘Mandir’.

“A trust has been formed for construction of a grand Ram temple in Ayodhya. This trust will work rapidly,” he said at a public meeting during his day-long visit to his Lok Sabha constituency.

Meanwhile, PM Modi inaugurated 36 developmental projects worth Rs 1,200 crore in his Lok Sabha constituency Varanasi and laid the foundation of 14 others. Apart from these, Modi flagged off Kashi Mahakal Express — first overnight private train in the country, which will connect three Jyotirlinga pilgrimage centres of Varanasi, Ujjain and Omkareshwar.

He also unveiled the 63-ft tall statue of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya while inaugurating the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Memorial Centre in Padao on the Varanasi-Chandauli border. “This memorial(of Deendayal Upadhyaya) which has been built here and this grand statue which has been installed will continue to inspire generations to come, the ethics and thoughts of Deen Dayal Ji will inspire”, the Prime Minister said at the event.

“Today when we talk about USD 5 trillion economy in India, tourism is an integral part of it. Besides nature, heritage tourism has a strong role to play in achieving the goal. Also, along with Varanasi other holy sites are being developed using new technologies”, he added.

Earlier in the day, PM Modi participated in the closing ceremony of the centenary celebrations of Jagadguru Vishwaradhya Gurukul at Jangamwadi Math. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Aditynath, Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa, Governor Anandiben Patel and others were also present at the event.

Thereafter the Prime Minister released the translated version of the Shri Siddhant Shikhamani Granth in 19 languages. He also released a mobile app of the Granth.