Ahead of winter session, RSS, VHP up ante for Ram Mandir

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 9

Launching a massive show of strength in the national capital ahead of the winter session of Parliament, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and affiliate VHP today stepped up the heat against the Narendra Modi government on building a Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.

Without naming anyone, senior Sangh leader Suresh ‘Bhaiyyaji’ Joshi accused its political arm BJP of not fulfilling its promise on building the temple, saying “we are not begging but expressing sentiments.” Some among the right wing leaders and members of the ‘sant samaj’, who spoke at the congregation to pressure the BJP-led government to enact a legislation in the winter session without waiting for the Supreme Court’s verdict on the Ram temple, also directly warned Modi of perils of ignoring the promise made by the BJP in subsequent manifestoes, including in 2014.

Joshi said those in power today had promised to construct the temple and should listen to people and fulfil their demands. Significantly, he also said a country that develops distrust for the judicial system cannot walk on the path of development. “The Supreme Court should also delve into this factor and take public sentiments into account,” he said.

Aiming at the BJP, Sadhvi Rithambara said: “Ram ki baat karne wale thaath main hain (those who used to talk of Ram are now living a life of luxury) but still the mandir could not be made. However tall a statue of Ram you can make and light ‘diyas’ Ayodhya till the time a Ram temple is not constructed, there can be no relief for Ram bhakts,” she said in an obvious attack against UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

Swami Hansdevacharya of Haridwar “warned” the Prime Minister of the perils of ignoring the warnings: “We will not let him off until the temple is built. He must fulfil his promise.” VHP president Vishnu Sadashiv Kokje said public sentiments should be respected “in democracy”.

The rally saw thousands of people in saffron ‘topis’ descend on the Ramlila Maidan. Notably, not many BJP politicians could be sighted apart from some like Delhi MP Maheish Girri.

The title suit of the Ayodhya land dispute case is pending before the SC. In January, the court is expected to announce a date for the beginning of the hearing. With the dispute remaining unresolved for over 25 years, right-wing groups are demanding that the Centre sidestep the courts and go ahead with the temple building.

‘Law only option’

We are not begging but expressing sentiments. Enacting a law is the only option for Ram temple. The movement will continue till the promise is fulfilled, The country wants ‘Ram Rajya’. Suresh ‘Bhaiyyaji’ Joshi, RSS leader