This marks the culmination BJP’s long standing promise to its electorate. The event, incidently, coincided with the 1st anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370 by the Centre.

#WATCH Prime Minister Narendra Modi offers prayers to Ram Lalla, performs 'sashtang pranam' (prostration) at Ram Janmabhoomi site in Ayodhya pic.twitter.com/G6aNfMTsLC

— ANI (@ANI) August 5, 2020

PM invoked “Jai Siya Ram” in his speech and told the gathering that a grand temple will now be built for “Ram Lalla”.

Bricks laid as part of 'Bhoomi Pujan' for #RamTemple in #Ayodhya.

Soil from more than 2000 pilgrimage sites and water from more than 100 rivers was brought for the rituals. https://t.co/aGj5yugb2K pic.twitter.com/Ca7Yu5pjpm

— ANI (@ANI) August 5, 2020

Many people made sacrifices for the Ram temple. I pay my respects to all of them. Ram is everywhere, Ram belongs to all. Despite efforts to eradicate Lord Ram’s existence, he lives in our hearts and is the basis of our culture. Social harmony was the core principle of Lord Ram’s governance. The construction of the Ram temple is an instrument to unite the country

Narendra Modi, Prime Minister

PM also released the postage stamp to commemorate the event.

Ayodhya: PM Narendra Modi releases a commemorative postage stamp on the 'Shree Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir' pic.twitter.com/fM7ACVNjKJ

— ANI (@ANI) August 5, 2020

Some key members of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, including former deputy prime minister L K Advani were not present at the venue. The organisers of the event invited only 175 people in view of COVID-19.

PM was joined by Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra trust head Nritya Gopal Das during the havan.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveils the plaque of #RamMandir in #Ayodhya. President of Ram Mandir Trust Mahant Nitya Gopal Das, UP CM Yogi Adityanath, UP Governor Anandiben Patel and RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat also present with him. pic.twitter.com/BLExodooMz

— ANI (@ANI) August 5, 2020

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi however politicised the event and added that the prime minister’s participation at the bhoomi pujan went against the Constitution, and marked the victory of majoritariansim.

India is a secular country. Prime Minister has violated the oath of the office by laying the foundation stone of #RamMandir. This is the day of the defeat of democracy and secularism and success of Hindutva: AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi pic.twitter.com/nfgOyAIK0o

— ANI (@ANI) August 5, 2020

Last November, the Supreme Court paved the way for the construction of the Ram temple at the site where the 16th century Babri mosque was demolished in December 1992.

While allotting the Ram Janmabhoomi site for a temple to be built by a trust, it ordered that a five-acre site should be found elsewhere in Ayodhya for a new mosque.