New Delhi: On October 2, the main Opposition in the government, the BJP, will mix Gandhi and Ram to take its protests over the demolition of the Ram Setu a step forward.

The BJP will organise the recitation of the Sunderkand chapter of the Ramcharitmanas, which contains verses on the birth of Lord Ram. Raghupati Raghava Raja Ram, the popular prayer song and a favourite of Bapu’s, has been earmarked as the theme song for the occasion.

The recitation of the Sunderkand was originally slated for September 19 but due to opposition from the VHP, the BJP had called it off. Former Union minister Murli Manohar Joshi had categorically stated that all programmes on Ram Setu would be led by the VHP’s Ram Raksha Samiti and that the BJP would only lend support.

A section of vocal BJP leaders led by the party’s deputy leader in Rajya Sabha, Sushma Swaraj, however, pursued the matter with other leaders in the party and also those within the RSS and the VHP.

It was eventually agreed that the party could recite Ramcharitmanas and Raghupati Raghav on October 2. The party will also burn copies of the affidavit in which the Centre had questioned the historical evidence of Ram.