Ram Temple will be built, have patience: Cornered Yogi assures
The Ram Temple issue has come to the fore again, with agitated seers and politicians cornering UP CM Yogi Adityanath yesterday, at the birthday celebrations of Mahant Nritya Gopal Das in Ayodhya. There could be no excuses now that Yogi is heading UP and PM Narendra Modi, the Center, they said. Responding, Adityanath assured it will be built, but urged them to have patience.
The Babri Masjid-Ram Janmabhoomi dispute at a glance
In December 1992, thousands of right-wing activists razed down the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya, claiming it was built on a temple; this temple had special significance as it was considered the birthplace of Lord Ram. Since then, the 16th-century site has been disputed. After several legal verdicts and peace-brokering attempts, the Supreme Court is currently hearing a final case related to ownership.
BJP rode to power on temple construction promise
The BJP came to power in UP last year riding on a promise to construct the temple. With Yogi in the state and Narendra Modi at the Center, religious groups were hopeful the matter would be resolved. However, earlier this month, the BJP made it clear that it is going to fight the 2019 polls over development issues, leading to anger among certain sections.
'Why do we need a court order to construct temple?'
Yesterday, incited seers warned Yogi BJP won't win again if it didn't fulfil promises. Ex-BJP MP Ram Vilas Vedanti gave a passionate speech, asking why a court order was needed anyway. "When Babur built the mosque, he didn't wait for a court order...Construction will start before 2019," he asserted. Last year, Vedanti took responsibility for the Masjid demolition, and said he had "no regrets."
'Temple will be built, but must keep maryada in mind'
Yogi assured them the Temple will be built in Ayodhya. "We are living in the world's biggest democracy where legislation and judiciary have a role. We must keep maryada in mind," he urged. He also asked them not to doubt the BJP's intention. "I fully support your demand. The temple will be built, but we need to be patient," he added.
Yogi points fingers at Congress for playing 'double game'
Yogi also accused the Congress of playing a 'double-game.' On one hand, party leader Kapil Sibal had asked the SC to postpone the hearing till after the 2019 polls, and on the other, they were asking what BJP had done about the matter, he said.
VHP, RSS have made similar claims in the recent past
BJP's associate organizations RSS and VHP have made similar claims. In March, RSS general secretary Bhaiyyaji Joshi asserted that a Ram Temple "and nothing else" would be constructed in Ayodhya. VHP International President Vishnu Sadashiv Kokje also said preparations for the temple's construction are complete. But both said a consensus was important, and that they would wait for the SC judgment.
