As Per Covid-19 SOP Modi, Advani, Bhagwat can’t attend Ram Mandir event in Ayodhya

New Delhi: If August 5 event in Ayodhya will follow Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) then the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, senior BJP leaders Murli Manohar Joshi, L.K. Advani, and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat cannot attend the bhoomi pujan ceremony of the Ram temple in Ayodhya next week.

According to the SOPs, “People above 65 years of age, persons with comorbidities, pregnant women and children below the age of 10 years are advised to stay at home. Organisations managing the religious institutions to advise accordingly.” The SOPs issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs this week as part of the Unlock 3.0 guidelines also advises people above 65 years of age to stay at home.

But the BJP brass invited for the ceremony — PM Modi (69), Murli Manohar Joshi (86), L.K. Advani (92), Bhagwat (69), RSS general secretary Suresh Bhaiyyaji Joshi (73) and former Uttar Pradesh CM Kalyan Singh (88) — are above 65 years of age.

Among the high-profile invitees, who meet the age criteria, are Vinay Katiyar, who is 65 years old, and Uma Bharti, who is 61. The government’s Unlock 3.0 guidelines also ban religious congregations or large gatherings.

Meanwhile, a priest and 14 policemen posted at the Ram temple site have tested positive for Covid-19.