Uttar Pradesh cop in trouble for Ram Temple 'pledge'

A senior IPS officer in Uttar Pradesh has courted controversy by allegedly taking a pledge for "the early construction of Ram temple" in Ayodhya. A video that went viral on Friday purportedly shows the Director General (Home Guards), Surya Kumar Shukla, taking the pledge on January 28.

The 1982 batch officer was attending an event organised by Akhil Bharatiya Samagra Vichar Manch at Lucknow University. In the video, Shukla and others are seen saying: "Hum sab Ram-bhakt, aaj ke karyakram ke dauraan, yeh sankalp letey hain, ki jald se jald Ram mandir ka bhavya nirman ho". They are also heard chanting 'Jai Sri Ram' slogans.

The state home department has sought an explanation from the police officer who is set to retire next year. Shukla admitted to participating in the event and taking the pledge. He, however, said his words were twisted.

He said the media has shown only a part of the event, out of context and it is nothing but misrepresentation of facts.