The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Wednesday said “the Hindu society cannot wait till eternity” for the construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya, a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement on Tuesday that he would not bring legislation for the temple before the legal process got over.
VHP international working president Alok Kumar said here that “considering the overall situation, the VHP continues to be of the firm view that the Hindu society cannot be expected to wait till eternity for a court decision.” “The only appropriate way forward is to enact legislation clearing the way for the construction of a grand Ram temple at the Ram Janmabhoomi now,” he added.
He clarified that the VHP did not see attempts to introduce a private member Bill for the construction of a temple in Ayodhya, stating that a “government-sponsored Bill” was what the organisation wanted.
“Further steps will be decided by Hindu seers at the Dharam Sansad to be held during the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj,” he added.
Mr. Kumar said the VHP had by now contacted 350 members of Parliament, but was waiting for on appointments with UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Congress president Rahul Gandhi to try and persuade them to support a Bill aiding the construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya.
Mr. Modi’s comments had come amid heightened demands by Hindutva organisations, including the RSS, for an ordinance for early construction of the temple in Ayodhya.
The government also faced fire from its ally, Shiv Sena, with party MP Sanjay Raut putting out a strong statement. “We don’t need the Prime Minister to tell us that the matter is in court. If that’s what we wanted what was the need for the movement? Karsewaks martyred, bomb blasts in Mumbai, riots; it was genocide in the Ram temple’s name, who is responsible? You [the BJP] formed the government on this issue, don’t forget that,” he said.
