Union Home Minister Amit Shah congratulated the nation
as Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the Ram Temple in Uttar
Pradesh’s Ayodhya on Wednesday.

Shah, who could not attend the event as he tested
positive for COVID-19 on August 2. Taking to Twitter, the Union Home Minister
wrote, “Construction of magnificent temple of Lord Ram demonstrates PM Narendra
Modi’s strong and decisive leadership. My heartiest congratulations to all
Indians on this unforgettable day. Modi government is committed to protecting and
preserving Indian culture and its values.

The 55-year-old minister, who is admitted to a
hospital, wrote, “This day will
be written as a golden chapter in the history of great Indian culture and new
era has started today.”

Shah added, “The construction of a Ram temple in
Ayodhya has been a symbol of the faith of Hindus around the world for
centuries. PM Modi and Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirtha Kshetra has done the work of
honouring the faith of crores of people by performing Bhoomi Pujan of Ram
temple. I express my heartfelt gratitude.”

PM Modi attended the bhoomi pujan and laid the foundation
stone of the temple. After the ceremony, the PM said, “With the construction of
this temple, not only history is being made, but is being repeated. The way
boatmen to tribals helped Lord Ram, the way children helped Lord Krishna lift
Govardhan mountain, similarly, with everyone’s efforts temple construction will
be completed.”

The Supreme Court in November 2019 paved the way for
construction of the Ram Temple, ending decades old Ram Janmabhoomi controversy.
The top court gave 2.5 acres of the dispute land for the construction of the
temple and five acres of land was allotted for the construction of a mosque.