RSS, VHP demand ordinance on Ram temple, Congress accuses BJP of polarising views

New Delhi, Oct 29 (IANS) Sangh Parivar founthead RSS and its affiliate VHP on Monday demanded that the Central government "enact a law" to build the Ram temple in Ayodhya while the Congress accused the BJP of "polarising views" on the issue ahead of the Lok Sabha polls as the Supreme Court directed the listing of the Ayodhya title suit matter in January 2019 before an appropriate bench.

"The RSS is of the view that Ram temple must be constructed at the birth place of Lord Ram and the place should be given to Ram Janmbhoomi Nyas. The construction of temple will create harmonious atmosphere. Taking this into account, the Supreme Court should take a decision at the earliest," Arun Kumar, Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh (communication incharge) of the RSS said.

"However, if any obstacle comes, the government must bring a legislation to pave the way (for the temple)," he added. 

Echoing the RSS's view, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) Working President Alok Kumar told reporters, "The Supreme Court has once again adjourned the hearing of the Ram Janmabhoomi appeals to the year 2019. 

"This fortifies our stand that a solution is not in eternally waiting for the hearing of the appeals. We reiterate our demand for enacting a law in Parliament for construction of a grand Ram temple in Ayodhya," he said, adding that the Winter Session of Parliament is ahead and this can be done.

Their remarks came soon after the apex court directed the listing of the Ayodhya title suit matter in January, 2019 before an appropriate bench.

Union Minister Giriraj Singh said that Hindus were running out of patience due to the delay in constructing the temple and warned that no one can predict what will happen if they lose their patience.

"The Congress has decided to make it a Hindu-Muslim issue. Lord Ram was, is and will remain a matter of faith for Hindus. Now Hindus are running out of patience. No one knows what will happen if Hindus lose their patience," the Minister said.

BJP leader Vinay Katiyar accused the Congress of stalling the matter. 

"The work is being done under pressure. Whatever Kapil Sibal (Congress leader) says that happens. He had pressurised and on behalf of that the work is being done," Katiyar alleged. 

Meanwhile, National Democratic Alliance (NDA) constituent Shiv Sena said that "the court will not do anything".

"We want Ram Temple in Ayodhya. We are not demanding to construct Ram Temple in Pakistan or Karachi. Our demand is to construct Ram Temple in God Ram's Ayodhya," Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut said.

He also said that party chief Uddhav Thackeray would visit Ayodhya and put his point before the country over the issue. 

The Congress, however, accused the BJP of polarising views on the Ram Temple issue ahead of the Lok Sabha polls while it would wait for the Supreme Court verdict on it.

"Well this is a familiar story. Every five years before elections, the BJP tries to polarise views on Ram Mandir," former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram said. 

He said the Congress stand on the Ram temple was clear. "Congress party's position is that the matter is before Supreme Court and everyone should wait until SC decides... I don't think we should jump the gun," he said.

When asked about the BJP alleging that the Congress was stalling the Supreme Court proceedings in the case, the Congress leader said, "If you make that statement in public it will an order of contempt of the Supreme Court. So, my request is don't make that statement in public. 

"The Supreme Court will decide when to hear the case. We don't decide when the court hears the case," he said. 

Responding to a question over a demand for an ordinance for construction of the temple, Chidambaram said, "It (the issue of ordinance) is decided by the executive government. If someone is asking for an ordinance, it is for the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) to respond, if he will respond at all to the issue," he added. 

Meanwhile, the JD-U which is part of the BJP-led NDA, on Monday said the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya is not on the party's agenda and that the party would accept the court verdict.

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen President Asaduddin Owaisi challenged the BJP to bring an ordinance on the Ram Temple issue.

"I am challenging them (the BJP and RSS) deliberately, I am provoking them and I want them to tell if the Prime Minister, the Law Minister or the Home Minister can come out tomorrow and bring an ordinance," Owaisi dared. 

He said that if the government chooses to go ahead anyway and pass an ordinance, then it would be a "gross violation" of the Constitution. 

"This country has to be run on the basis of constitution. And the constitution does not allow you to issue an ordinance. If the government goes ahead and does an act of stupidity, then this will be a gross violation of the right to equality," he said.

Babri Masjid Action Committee (BMAC) convenor Zafaryab Jilani accused the central government ministers of politicising the issue and said, "This is very unfortunate. The ministers of the Central government are politicisng the complete issue."

Jilani opined that if the "government would bring ordinance on the Ram temple then it would have to be brought as per the constitution". 

"If the government brings ordinance it has to be brought as per the constitution. And then it would again come for hearing in the Supreme Court," Jilani said.