Ram Temple should have been made by now: Bhagwat

Vibha Sharma
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, September 19

A day after Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat said there can be no Hindu ‘rashtra’ without Muslims, he Wednesday pushed for the saffron groups’ most-favoured poll agenda—the Ram Temple—saying that a grand temple at Ayodhya should be made as soon as possible.

Bhagwat, today on the last day of the three-day RSS conclave “Bhavishya Ka Bharat—An RSS Perspective”, touched upon various issues while replying to audience’ questions, was categorical that the RSS wants a grand Ram Temple should be constructed at Ayodhya.

“It should have happened by now (the construction of Ram Temple at Ayodhya). If this happens it would resolve many issues, including differences between Hindus and Muslims.  It is the question of faith of crores of Hindus,” he said.

Bhagwat also said the Hinduvta outfit was not against inter-caste marriage and it was an issue of compatibility between a man and woman.

Answering wide-ranging questions on issues like inter-caste marriages, education as well as the caste system, Bhagwat also said if there is a census on inter-caste marriages, the maximum cases will be those from the Sangh.

On the last day of the three-day mega outreach conclave by the Hindutva outfit, the RSS chief also said India needs a new education policy.

Bhagwat also pitched for protection of cows but disapproved of going against law in the name of such vigilantism.

The Sangh head said, “We have to reject the double-speak as there is no talk of violence by cow smugglers.” He was replying to questions on cow vigilantism and mob lynching.

It is a crime to take law in one’s own hands, Bhagwat said on cow vigilantism and asserted there should be stringent punishment in such cases. The question came in the backdrop of instances of alleged lynching by cow vigilantes in several states. — With PTI