A fresh political flutter broke out in Salt Lake on Friday after large banners announcing the construction of a Ram temple in Bidhannagar appeared across several prominent locations, including Karunamoyee and City Centre.
The announcement, made by Sanjay Poyraya, convenor of the proposed temple’s construction committee, claimed that work on the project would begin in March next year. According to Poyraya, the foundation ceremony is scheduled to take place on Ram Navami in March. “A Ram temple has been built in Uttar Pradesh; there will be one in West Bengal too. Ramrajya will be established here. Anyone opposing the construction must understand they are standing against Sanatan dharma, against Hindus. Ram is our faith, our belief, our God,” he said.
Poyraya asserted that the proposed temple would come up in Salt Lake’s Sector V, though he did not specify the exact location or whether any formal approval had been obtained from local authorities. He insisted the initiative was not politically motivated. “This is not about politics or counter-politics. Ram wants this temple, so it will happen,” he said. He further claimed that the project would not be limited to a place of worship. Alongside the temple, the committee plans to set up a school, hospital, old-age home and a women’s self-reliance centre as part of a larger social welfare complex.
The sudden appearance of the banners drew curiosity as well as questions from residents, as Sector V falls under a notified planning area requiring mandatory clearances for any construction. Local authorities are yet to comment on the claims.