As the lobbying for constructing the Ram Temple at the disputed site at Ayodhya gathers momentum, human resource development ministry is exploring the idea of setting up an International Research and Educational Centre for Ayodhya at the Banaras Hinud University (BHU).
A team of professors from BHU, Lucknow University and Allahabad University were on a three day field trip to Ayodhya to study its religious and cultural heritage. These professors are of the view that Ayodhya can be developed into a city like Venice or Santiago de Compostela.
The university scholars are of the view that Ayodhya not just symbolizes Hindutava, but has also a historical connection with Jainism, Buddhism, Sikhism and the Sufi cult. The South Korean dynasty also traces its history to the princess of Ayodhya who married the Korean king Kim Suro.
In a reply to the letter written by Faizabad MP Lallu Singh who wrote to the HRD minister Smriti Irani for setting up an international research center in Ayodhya. Irani in a reply to Singh in March last year had said that her ministry was weighing the option of setting up a centre at BHU.
“There is a Guru Nanak Dev Centre at Ayodhya. Three Sikh gurus including Guru Nanak, Guru Tegh Bahadur and Guru Gobind have visited Ayodhya in different times. Gautam Buddha also visited the place. Five Jain Tirthankars were born in this town. There are eight small and big sufi dargahs in and around the town,” said Professor Rana PB Singh of BHU. Singh is also the member of several international historical and cultural committees.
He is also one of the lifelong member of INTACH.
In the past one year, professors at BHU have also produced several papers on agricultural landscapes and cultural heritage and tourism along Ayodhya- Faizabad corridor. The three member team will now prepare its initial report. Sources in the HRD ministry said that the ministry has already written to BHU. “The BHU will be coordinating with its other state partners and will submit the proposal to the ministry to decide the future course,” said an official.
