Prayagraj, January 30: Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati, the top seer of Dwarka Peeth, has declared the date for Ram Mandir foundation ceremony in Ayodhya. Addressing the ongoing Dharam Sansad at the Kumbh Mela, Swaroopanand said 500 seers along with him would be marching to Ayodhya on February 21, and "will lay the foundation stone" for a grand Ram temple.

Swaroopanand, who is considered among the four topmost seers of the nation, said the time has come for the final push to achieve the goal of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement. "Even if I have to face the bullet, I will go to Ayodhya and lay the foundation stone," he said while addressing the second-day of the Dharma Sansad. Modi Government’s Plea on Ayodhya Land: BJP Sees It As Step Towards Building Ram Temple.

Senior BJP leader Vinay Katiyar has distanced the party from Swaroopanand's announcement. Calling it a "Congress ploy", Katiyar said the Yogi Adityanath-led government in Uttar Pradesh would "honour the saints" who come to Ayodhya on February 21, but would not allow anyone to violate the law and order.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had sparked an uproar on Saturday after suggesting the apex court to allow the state government to settle the Ayodhya dispute. "We will find a solution within 24 hours," he said.

Adityanath's remarks came in the backdrop of another postponement in the Ayodhya case proceedings, as Justice SA Bobde, part of the CJI-led bench which will hear the final set of arguments, went on a leave. The new dates are yet to be announced -- fueling anxiety among the Mandir proponents.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 30, 2019 06:55 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).