By – Aditi Gupta
It has become illegal for even VIPs and VVIPs to bring cell phones into the Ram Mandir. The Ram Mandir Trust and management met and decided on this decision.
No one will be allowed to bring cell phones to Ram Mandir anymore, no matter how uncommon they are. The Ram Mandir Trust and administration met on Friday and made this decision. For regular devotees, carrying a cell phone was already banned. Even VVIPs and VIPs are going to be unable to carry cell phones. There have been rumors that tight monitoring will be implemented to make sure cell phones stay outside the building. This choice is related to the incident where the image of the shattered idol in the Ram Mandir pillar went viral. However, the trust states that for safety reasons, cell phones are prohibited on the property.
Devotees have been carrying cell phones inside Ram Mandir without limitations since Pran Pratishtha. Subsequently, an act of strictness was put into effect, banning common devotees from carrying cell phones. In the meantime, the trust initiated the special and easy darshan system. This will allow anyone with special qualifications to have one cell phone with them at all times. Mobile phones were also permitted for VIPs and VVIPs.
Dr. Anil Mishra, a trustee of Ram Mandir, says that cell phones entering the temple premises posed a security risk. Common devotees got frustrated as well. While standing in line for darshan, people began taking pictures and selfies. Something felt wrong with this. Mobile phones will not be permitted. The easy and distinctive darshan process will still be in effect.