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BJP allies react with unease as RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat calls for law to build Ram temple

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Most BJP allies want to let Supreme Court decide the matter, and one says Ram temple was never on NDA’s common minimum programme.

New Delhi: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s Vijayadashami speech has created an atmosphere of unease in the NDA. Most allies of the BJP have expressed their reservation on the RSS’ push for legislation to construct a Ram temple in Ayodhya.

Almost all parties in the alliance believe that this move will create an atmosphere of distrust in the minority community just ahead of the crucial assembly and Lok Sabha polls. They are also of the view that the government should wait for the Supreme Court’s verdict before initiating any move.


Also read: VHP to direct Modi govt to bring ordinance on Ram Temple


In his speech, Bhagwat said the Ram temple is a symbol of India, and has nothing to do with Hindus and Muslims.

“Because of politics, there are people who have delayed the matter of the Ram temple. This temple should be built by whatever means necessary. If the government needs to bring in a law to build the temple, it should,” Bhagwat had said.

Uneasy allies

The strongest reaction came from BJP’s Uttar Pradesh ally Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party, whose chief O.P. Rajbhar said this issue is raised by the Sangh before every crucial election.

“The government operates on the directions of the RSS chief. If they want, they can bring a law on the issue within hours,” Rajbhar told ThePrint.

“Instead of dividing the country on the issue of mandir and masjid, they should work for the upliftment of the weak and backward.”

Lok Janshakti Party spokesperson A.K. Bajpai questioned Bhagwat’s ‘directions’.

“Who is he to direct the government? There is no provision in the Constitution where an individual can direct the government,” he said. “Plus, the title dispute is still in court and the government cannot even bring in a law on this.”


Also read: Thackeray takes Ram temple battle to BJP, allies set to fight for tag of ‘more Hindu party’


Rashtriya Lok Samta Party, another important ally in Bihar, said politics and religion should be kept apart, as stated by Mahatma Gandhi.

“Ram temple was never part of the common minimum program of the NDA. The BJP should think about it and wait for few months for the case to be decided,” said Subodh Kumar, senior leader of the RLSP.

Bihar ally Janata Dal (United) also said the issue needs to be dealt with care, as it is still pending before the courts.

“We should wait for the verdict instead of raking up the temple issue every now and then,” said JD(U) leader K.C. Tyagi.

One of the BJP’s oldest allies, the Sikh-majority Shiromani Akali Dal, refused to wade into the controversy, but also said it was a matter for the courts.

BJP’s oldest ally Shiv Sena, which has been pulling away from the alliance for months, is the only one that has demanded the Ram temple be constructed at the disputed site at the earliest. Party chief Uddhav Thackeray is planning to visit the site next month.

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1 COMMENT

  1. Ideally, the apex court verdict should be rendered after the general election, taking it completely beyond the ebb and flow of electoral politics.

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