Nobody opposed when Mayawati built statues; why are people questioning a Lord Ram statue: Shia Waqf board chief

The Chairman of the Shia Waqf board on Tuesday said that he was all for the erection of a statue of Lord Ram in Ayodhya.

Speaking to ANI, W Rizvi of the Shia Waqf board said that it was sad that opposing the construction of the Ram Statue was sad, as Ayodhya is the centre of Hindu heritage. "No one said anything when Mayawati built her own statues; don't understand why people are making an issue over constructing a Ram statue," Rizvi added.

Taj Mahal can be symbol of love but not of worship, apart from 1-2 most Mughals were 'aiyaash', Muslims don't consider them idols: W. Rizvi pic.twitter.com/Q34mgKkuLd

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) October 17, 2017

No one opposed when Mayawati built her own statues, don't understand why is there issue over making Ram statue: Chairman Shia Waqf Board pic.twitter.com/uHtY20dWg1

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) October 17, 2017

Sad that Ram statue construction is being opposed, it's a good step as Ayodhya is centre of Hindu heritage: W.Rizvi,Chairman Shia Waqf Board pic.twitter.com/OOdl1v9u89

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) October 17, 2017

He also spoke of the Taj Mahal being the symbol of love, but not worship. "Only a couple of Mughal leaders were great; the others were 'aiyaash' and Muslims don't idolise them," he added.

Yogi Adityanath government had proposed to build a Lord Ram's 'grand statue' in Ayodhya, as part of the 'Navya Ayodhya' project that is seen an initiative by the Uttar Pradesh government to promote religious tourism.

The 100 metre tall statue will be built on the banks of River Saryu in Ayodhya.

The statue will be built after securing permission from the National Green Tribunal. However, the proposal has not been sent to NGT for approval. Apart from the statue, a Ram Katha gallery, an auditorium in Digambar Akhada are also part of the plan.