Belagavi priest who set Ram Mandir ceremony date gets threat calls

Belagavi: Ahead of the ‘Bhumi Pujan’ for Ram Mandir at Ayodhya, the priest who fixed the muhurat ( auspicious time) for the ceremony has allegedly received threat calls.

In the wake of the threat calls, police have deployed a few personnel at his residence.

NR Vijayendra Sharma, the 75-year-old priest from Belagavi had been contacted by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teertha Kshetra Trust for fixing the muhurat for the groundbreaking ceremony. He had given four dates: July 29, July 31, August 3 and August 5.

Speaking to reporters Vijayendra said that he was getting calls from different numbers and the callers have been asking him to withdraw the date or face consequences.

A case has been registered with Tilakwadi police station in Belagavi.

Meanwhile, the Bhumi Pujan will be held on August 5. Prime Minister Narendra Modi who will be attending the event will place a silver brick weighing 22.6 kg to mark the foundation of the Ram Mandir.