UP govt letter on Ram temple triggers controversy

A letter by Uttar Pradesh Home Secretary convening a meeting of top officials to discuss the "reconstruction" of Ram temple at Ayodhya has sparked a controversy, even as the government clarified that it was a printing error.

The letter issued by Secretary (Home) Saresh Chandra Mishra instructed the Director General of Police and other senior officials to attend a meeting on October 14 to discuss the issue.

"This letter is regarding parliamentary law by the Centre for reconstruction of temple at Ram Janmabhoomi on the lines of reconstruction of the Somnath temple," reads the subject of the letter.

The government, however, immediately clarified that the meeting was called with reference to Sankalp Diwas called by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad on October 19 and that there was a misprint in the letter.

"The government clarifies that the meeting on Monday organised by the home department was to handle the situation of Sankalp Diwas. By mistake, the subject of the meeting was misprinted which was later corrected," a home department spokesman said.