India, home of the world's tallest statue, announces plan to build a taller one

Uttar Pradesh will build a 221m-high effigy of the Hindu god Ram, dwarfing the current record-holder in Gujarat state

World 13:38 26.11.2018

The Indian state of Uttar Pradesh says it will build the world’s tallest statue, weeks after the current record holder – an 182-metre likeness of founding father Sardar Patel – was completed in another part of the country.

If constructed, the 221m-high effigy of the Hindu god Ram in the town of Ayodhya could make India home to the world’s three tallest statues, with a 212-metre likeness of the medieval ruler Shivaji also currently under construction off the coast of Mumbai.

Plans for the bronze Ram statue were unveiled over the weekend, with five construction firms giving presentations to the the state’s chief minister, Yogi Adityanath, a firebrand Hindu monk accused of instigating violence against’s the state’s Muslim minority.

Ayodhya has been considered a crucible for the Hindu nationalist movement since 1992, when thousands of adherents stormed a Mughal-era mosque in the town and demolished it, believing it was built at the site where Ram was born, and where an ancient Hindu temple had been torn down by earlier Muslim rulers.

An estimated 50,000 Hindu nationalists rallied in Ayodhya on Sunday demanding prime minister Narendra Modi’s party build a temple to Ram on the site.

“Do whatever it is you have to do,” Uddhav Thackeray, the leader of the far-right Shiv Sena group, said on Sunday. “A temple has to be built. This government is very powerful and if they don’t build a temple they will not be in government.”

Successive BJP governments have promised to build a Ram temple on the site but say they are unable to do so until the Indian supreme court rules on how the land should be used. The court will hold hearings on the issue next year.

The statue – along with a decision this month to rename the surrounding district from its Mughal-era name Faizabad to Ayodhya – are seen as efforts to temper the anger of rightwing Hindu groups at the continued delay in building the temple, despite the fact religious nationalists are in power nationally and in states across the country.

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board, a group of Islamic leaders, said Sunday’s rally in Ayodhya had “terrified” Muslims in the city. “The Muslims living in Ayodhya are terrified for the past week,” the board’s chief, Zafaryab Jilani, said. “We have also asked those feeling insecure to come to [the Uttar Pradesh capital] Lucknow if they want.”

The cost of the statue is yet to be announced but is also likely to provoke criticism in a state with the country’s highest levels of malnutrition, and where 325 children died in a single month last year when a government hospital was unable to afford to maintain oxygen supplies.

Ilham Aliyev participates in High Level Segment of 15th Petersberg Climate Dialogue in Berlin - VİDEO

News line

Germany's Scholz says new approach to combating climate change needed
13:29 26.04.2024
"Are NATO Forces Planning an Attack on Russia?" - Insightful Commentary from British Politician
13:14 26.04.2024
Tensions Rise as Chad Considers Expelling US Forces: US influence in Africa tumbles
Tensions Rise as Chad Considers Expelling US Forces: US influence in Africa tumbles
13:00 26.04.2024
President Ilham Aliyev: As the host country of COP29, Azerbaijan is in active phase of preparation
12:45 26.04.2024
Ilham Aliyev participates in High Level Segment of 15th Petersberg Climate Dialogue in Berlin - VİDEO
12:32 26.04.2024
Details of the expected peace agreement are explained by a political scientist
12:20 26.04.2024
The anniversary of the so-called "Armenian genocide" was held in Iran - PHOTOS
12:09 26.04.2024
Blinken expected in Israel on Tuesday to discuss Rafah operation, hostage deal - Media
Blinken expected in Israel on Tuesday to discuss Rafah operation, hostage deal - Media
11:54 26.04.2024
COP29 delegation meets Spanish minister for ecological transition
11:53 26.04.2024
Russian-Turkish Monitoring Centre in Azerbaijan's Aghdam ceased its activity - VİDEO
11:40 26.04.2024
ISW: If Russia captures Chasov Yar, this will open the way for it to the “defense belt”
11:22 26.04.2024
Chinese FM warns about possible risk of further expansion of Ukraine war
10:50 26.04.2024
Zelensky: 'NATO countries are afraid of Russia'
10:38 26.04.2024
Azerbaijani police discovered explosive devices in Khojavand
10:23 26.04.2024
Greece refuses to provide Ukraine with Patriot systems
10:12 26.04.2024
Price of Azerbaijan oil drops
Price of Azerbaijan oil drops
10:00 26.04.2024
Azerbaijani minister mulls preparations for COP29 with Annalena Baerbock
09:50 26.04.2024
US expands its sanctions list on Iran
US expands its sanctions list on Iran
09:38 26.04.2024
Azerbaijan relocates another 39 families to Fuzuli city
09:26 26.04.2024
Media: US Embassy in Russia is testing water quality to avoid being poisoned
09:00 26.04.2024
Armenian lobby plans provocative rally during Azerbaijani President's Germany visit
00:35 26.04.2024
Xavi agrees to remain Barcelona coach
Xavi agrees to remain Barcelona coach
22:00 25.04.2024
Plane of Azerbaijani President leaves for Berlin from Fuzuli Airport for first time
21:00 25.04.2024
20 border posts installed on Azerbaijan-Armenia border
20:00 25.04.2024
This could be the end of the world economy - Predictions from English politologue
19:25 25.04.2024
Anti-Azerbaijan and Türkiye banners raised in Ukraine on Anniversary of So-Called Armenian Genocide - VİDEO
Anti-Azerbaijan and Türkiye banners raised in Ukraine on Anniversary of So-Called Armenian Genocide - VİDEO
18:50 25.04.2024
Deadly floods wreak havoc in Kenya’s capital
18:29 25.04.2024
Armenia Continues Unsubstantiated Claims Against Azerbaijan in The Hague Court - VİDEO
18:08 25.04.2024
Polish FM: Russia's attack on NATO will result in Moscow's defeat
17:55 25.04.2024
China Facilitates Arms Trade Route Between North Korea and Russia, US Satellite Observations Reveal
17:48 25.04.2024
More than 100 prisoners escaped from prison due to rains in Nigeria
More than 100 prisoners escaped from prison due to rains in Nigeria
17:32 25.04.2024
Kobakhidze: Georgia to soon become member of European Union
17:12 25.04.2024
Kyrgyz President Zhaparov concludes his state visit to Azerbaijan
16:47 25.04.2024
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev invites European Council President Charles Michel to COP29
16:34 25.04.2024
Macron: Europe must show that it is not a US vassal
16:12 25.04.2024
Credit investment in Azerbaijan’s economy increases by 23%
16:00 25.04.2024
Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan to cooperate in space field
Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan to cooperate in space field
15:49 25.04.2024
Protesters in Yerevan demand resignation of government
Protesters in Yerevan demand resignation of government
15:28 25.04.2024
Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Sadyr Zhaparov tour Shahbulag Castle in Aghdam
15:00 25.04.2024
Second meeting of Foreign Affairs Committee Chairs of Parliaments of Turkic States to be held in Türkiye
Second meeting of Foreign Affairs Committee Chairs of Parliaments of Turkic States to be held in Türkiye
14:30 25.04.2024
Hamısı