The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has asked for a day-long ban on the sale of liquor and non-vegetarian food across Jharkhand on August 5 – the day on which Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation for the Ayodhya Ram Temple.

Addressing the media in Ranchi on Sunday, BJP MP Sanjay Seth said, “The day resonates with the religious sentiments of crores of Hindus. On this pious and holy day, we urge the state government to shut down all shops selling liquor and non-veg items like mutton, fish and chicken.”

There was no response from the state government by the time this report was filed. Seth told The Telegraph Online that he will address a letter to the chief minister on Monday, enlisting the demands.

The BJP state unit of BJP is busy preparing for August 5. The party plans to decorate Ranchi with cutouts of Ram, and Mahavir flags despite Covid-19 restrictions.

Seth informed that the auspicious time for foundation laying is 12.10pm to 12.20pm and urged all Ram Bhakts in Jharkhand to blow conches and beat drums during this time. “It is our duty to make this occasion historic,” he said.

Seth is a first-time MP from Ranchi, and a founder of the Namo Mantra Jharkhand group.

Following the Supreme Court verdict in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case in November last year, Modi had announced formation of a trust for the construction of a grand temple at Ayodhya.

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) organised to collect soil from several Sarna Sthals, tribal places of worship, to be sent to Ayodhya for the foundation laying ceremony. However, several tribal groups opposed the drive.