No power in the world can stop construction of Ram temple: Giriraj Singh

Union Minister Giriraj Singh Thursday said no power in the world can stop the construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya.

He said Lord Ram's identity is linked to the country and those viewing him with a religious lens are doing injustice to the nation.

"Lord Ram's identity is linked to our country. Therefore, the temple will be built 200 per cent, whether they (saints) march on February 21 or on another date. No power in the world can stop construction of Ram temple," Singh, who is Union Minister of State for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, told PTI.

Religious leader Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati on Wednesday said a ceremony to mark the start of construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya will take place on February 21, even if those gathering there have to "face bullets".

The date for the planned ceremony, akin to a 'shilanyas', was announced at the end of a three-day congregation of seers at the Kumbh Mela.

The announcement came a day after the Centre filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking permission to transfer "surplus" land adjacent to the disputed Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid site to its original owners.

The Shankaracharya said the sadhus will begin their march to Ayodhya from Allahabad after Basant Panchami, which falls on February 10.