British MP Bob Blackman criticises BBC for 'biased' coverage of India's Ram Mandir consecration ceremony

"Last week in Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh, the Ram Mandir was consecrated. This was of great joy to Hindus across the world as being the birthplace of Lord Ram," Bob Blackman was quoted as saying in a video posted by him where the MP could be seen speaking in the British Parliament.

He was further heard as saying in the video: "Very sadly, the BBC, in their coverage reported, of course, that this was the site of the destruction of a mosque, forgetting the fact that it had been a temple for more than 2,000 years before that happened and that the Muslims had been allocated a five-acre site on which to erect a mosque adjacent to the town."

He urged the MPs to allot time for a 'debate in government time' on the 'impartiality of the BBC'.

He questioned the iconic British media and said it failed to provide a 'decent record of what is actually going on all over the world'.

Bob Blackman also wrote on X: "  Constituents have raised concerns surrounding the BBC's biased reporting of the #RamMandir temple.  As an avid supporter of the rights of Hindus, this article has caused great disharmony."

"The BBC must be able to provide a decent record of what is going across the world," he said.

January 22 event in Ayodhya

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 22 inaugurated the much-awaited Ram Temple and unveiled the Ram Lalla idol in Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya.

Modi was accompanied by RSS chief Mohan Bhagawat, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at the rituals, which were performed by the Prime Minister.

From celebrities to politicians and seers, Ayodhya was overwhelmed by people from far and wide to witness a momentous religious event that will mark the course of Indian politics apart in coming days besides being a watershed event in Hinduism. Many of the rich and famous arrived in private jets for the ceremony.

A majority of Hindus claimed that the site was the birthplace of Lord Ram before Muslim Mughals razed a temple at the spot to build the Babri Masjid.

In a landmark verdict in 2019, the Supreme Court handed over the land to the Hindu community and ordered to allot a separate plot to Muslims.