In what appears to be a continuation of his Dusshera speech, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Tuesday visited Pune’s Shreemant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati temple where he offered prayers to construct a Ram temple as early as possible.

Bhagwat is in Pune for the abhishek at the famous temple. Speaking to DNA about his visit, the RSS chief said that the visit was long overdue. He, however, did not disclose any more details.

Soon after, a video was circulated where Bhagwat is repeating the verses chanted by the priest. The RSS chief is heard uttering the words ‘Ramrajya’ and ‘Ram Mandir’ during the prayer ceremony.

 When contacted, the priest, identified as Milind Rahurkar, admitted that there were some chants for the Ram temple and Ramrajya. “It was Abhishek for Lord Ganesha and throughout the prayer ceremony, Mohan Bhagwat sought his blessings for the betterment of the universe and to achieve peace in the entire society."

Rahurkar said that while he accepted that he had offered prayers for the Ram temple and Ramrajya, he clarified that Bhagwat had not made a specific request.

 Controversy had irrupted when Bhagwat in his Dussehra speech to mark 93^rd foundation day of RSS had raked up the issue of Ram temple. In his speech in Nagpur on October 19, Bhagwat had said that the government should not test the patience of its citizens and it should pass a law to authorise construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya.