Mukesh Khanna , who is known for his iconic role as Bhishma Pitama in BR Chopra's Mahabharat , shared his thoughts on the Bharatiya Janata Party 's (BJP) loss in Ayodhya during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections . The election results, declared on June 4, revealed BJP candidate Lallu Singh's defeat in the Faizabad constituency to Awadhesh Prasad from the Samajwadi Party. Faizabad holds significance as it is home to the newly inaugurated Ram temple .
Taking to Instagram, Mukesh expressed, "The defeat in the Ayodhya elections should teach us that alongside a grand temple, efforts should also be made to enhance the lives of the surrounding residents. Amid budgets in the millions, it is essential to allocate some funds to address the issues faced by the local people. Whether it's the Ram temple, the four pilgrimage sites, or the Khatu Shyam temple near Jaipur, these places of reverence should not be turned into tourist spots.
Consideration should also be given to the residents living there." This statement comes amidst reactions from various quarters regarding the BJP's loss in Ayodhya. Sunil Lahri , who is famous for his portrayal of Laxman in Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayan, also voiced disappointment over Ayodhya's voting patterns.
Sunil expressed on Instagram, "We are forgetting that these are the same Ayodhya citizens who doubted Goddess Sita after she returned from exile. What do you call the person who even denies God? Selfish. History stands proof that the citizens of Ayodhya always.