New Delhi, Jul 27 (PTI) Objecting to Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray's statement that "bhumi pujan" of Ayodhya's Ram temple should be performed via video-conference, Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) working president Alok Kumar on Monday said it is a fall of what once was a Hindutva party lead by the legendary Balasaheb Thackeray.

Underlining that "bhumi pujan" is an essential and sacred ritual, Kumar said before starting any construction work, Hindus worship the Mother Earth and seek her permission to dig, and this cannot be done virtually.

Also Read | Pakistan Violates LOC in Mendhar Sector of Poonch District in Jammu and Kashmir: Live News Breaking And Coronavirus Updates on July 27, 2020.

Expressing concern over the Maharashtra chief minister's statement, Kumar said,"It only shows his blind opposition and we do mourn such a fall of what once was a Hindutva party lead by the legendary Shri Balasaheb Thackeray."

Also Read | SBI CBO Recruitment 2020 Notification Released Online at sbi.co.in: Check Vacancy, Eligibility, Application Fee and Important Dates.

The VHP and the organisers of the upcoming "bhumi pujan" have said it be done by restricting participation to 200 people and in compliance with all health and security advisories, he added.

In this situation, the concerns about public health expressed by Uddhav Thackeray are only "false pretences", Kumar said, adding that many normal activities have been started in the country with precautions related to Covid-19.

He also mentioned that the Supreme Court had permitted the symbolic taking out of the Jagannath Rath Yatra.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)