Rajnath sets priorities, says Ram temple, Art 370 can wait

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, May 29

Home Minister Rajnath Singh today acknowledged that building of Ram temple in Ayodhya and abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution were important issues but as of now the government’s focus was on development.

At a press conference organised to highlight the achievements of Modi government’s first year in power, he said: “All issues are important but we have to fix priorities. Now, we are working on the development agenda.”

On Ram temple, he said it was a sub judice issue. “We have to wait for the court verdict. But the two communities may hold talks and find a solution,” he said.

He downplayed the issue of Article 370 (that grants special status to Jammu and Kashmir) saying: “Abhi abhi to sarkar bani hai (Government has just been formed).”

On the role of RSS in the government, Singh avoided a direct reply but said he himself was an RSS “swayamsevak” and believed in the organisation’s ideology. “The RSS promotes an India where all 72 sects of Islam exist. It promotes an Indian culture due to which a 2,000-year-old church exists in Kerala. It promotes Indian culture by virtue of which Parsis from Iran are given utmost respect here and where Jews are respected,” he said.

The Home Minister said during the past one year of the government, good governance and development had finally staged a comeback after 10 years. “Is sarkar mein susashan aur vikas ki ghar wapsi hui hai (In the past one year, good governance and development have staged a comeback),” he said.

On the stand-off between the Delhi Lt Governor and the AAP government, Rajnath said: “We have no intention of running the Delhi Government through anyone. Let them run the government. We just want to uphold the Constitutional provisions.”

On being asked if the Centre had plans to hold talks with separatist groups of Jammu and Kashmir, Rajnath said: “There is no proposal to hold talks as of now.”

He said: “Kashmiris should not get misguided by pro-Pakistani elements and remember that their future is linked to India.”

On the hoisting of Pakistani flag at regular intervals in Kashmir, he said: “We will not tolerate it. No one will be allowed to misuse our soil.”