BJP, Sangh Parivar outfits question Supreme Court’s priority 

As the Supreme Court on Monday turned down the plea for expeditious hearing of the Ram Janmabhoomi land dispute case and said the matter will be dealt with by an appropriate Bench in January, the court faced harsh criticism from several quarters and demand for an Ordinance for the construction of Ram Temple grew louder within the BJP, RSS and various Sangh Parivar outfits. The Congress exercised restraint saying that the apex court verdict should be awaited and the issue be not linked with vote-bank

With the country warming up to the Lok Sabha polls, around six months away, the BJP and the RSS called for bringing a legislation to expedite the temple construction at Ayodhya apprehending that the court proceedings on the issue may not conclude too soon.

Outlining the Government’s stand, Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, at the same time, said a lot people in the country want the case to be heard quickly. Addressing a Press conference in poll-bound Chhattisgarh, Prasad said the BJP never linked the Ram Mandir issue with polls.

“The Supreme Court today said the hearing (on the Ayodhya land title dispute cases) will be held in January. As a Law Minister, I should not say anything else, as you understand that there are certain limitations,” Prasad said.

“I would like to humbly say that a lot of people in the country want that the hearing on the issue should be completed soon,” he said.

The RSS said the Supreme Court should make an early decision on the Ram Janmabhoomi land dispute and the Union Government should bring a legislation to remove hurdles, if any, in the way of the construction of a Ram temple at the site.

RSS chief spokesperson Arun Kumar said the Allahabad High Court in its verdict has accepted that the site is the birthplace of Lord Ram and a temple existed there. The HC judgment, delivered in four civil suits, had said the 2.77-acre  be divided equally among three parties — the Sunni Waqf Board, the Nirmohi Akhara and Ram Lalla.

“The Sangh believes a grand Ram temple should be constructed soon at the birthplace of Lord Ram. And land should be allotted at the birthplace for temple construction. With the construction of the temple, an atmosphere of unity and harmony will be created. With this in view, the Supreme Court should make an early decision and if there are any difficulties, the Government should make a law to remove all hurdles in the way of giving land for temple at the Ram Janmabhoomi site,” Kumar said in a statement.

“Ever since this andolan was started by sants, we have supported it and will continue to support them in their decisions in future,” he said.

BJP leader Vinay Katiyar alleged that the issue was being delayed “under pressure” from the Congress, which denied the charge.

 “The decision is being delayed under pressure from the Congress. People like Kapil Sibal and Prashant Bhushan are pressing for delaying the issue. Till when will Ram bhakts (devotees) wait? In 2019, the Congress will come to know,” he said.

Former Union Minister and BJP leader Sanjeev Baliyan said, “I am surprised at the priorities of the court. I am of the view that the Ram temple should be constructed. The Government should explore all possibilities.”

BJP’s ally Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said the Ram temple is an issue of faith and demanded that the Government comes out with an Ordinance soon. “It is a matter of faith. The court cannot decide on this. The Government should bring an ordinance,” he said.

Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram, however, maintained that it was a familiar story every five years before the elections when the BJP tries to polarise the issue.

 “The Congress’s stated position is that the matter is before the Supreme Court and everyone should wait until the Supreme Court decides... We should not jump the gun,” he told reporters.

To a question on possibility of an ordinance for construction of the temple, he said the Ordinance has to be decided by the Government and not by Parliament. “If someone asks for an Ordinance, the Prime Minister has to respond to them, but as you know, he will not respond to any issue,” he said.

On allegations by some BJP leaders that the delay was under pressure from some Congress leaders, Chidambaram said, “The Supreme Court will decide when to hear the case. We don’t decide when the court will hear the case.”

Another Congress leader Anand Sharma said, “Everyone should patiently wait for the Supreme Court verdict. Congress party has stated that it will welcome and accept the Supreme Court verdict.” He said religion is a matter of faith and linking this issue to the vote-bank politics will be a disservice to the nation.

The All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader Asaddudin Owaisi dared the Government to bring an Ordinance, saying the BJP refers to the Ram Temple again and again. “If they have the courage, they should bring an Ordinance on Ram Temple construction. They are trying to scare us about bringing an Ordinance, why don’t they bring it,” he said.

Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) working president Alok Kumar said Hindus cannot wait eternally for a court judgment on the Ayodhya land dispute case and asked the government to bring a law for building a Ram temple.

He urged the Narendra Modi Government to bring a legislation in the Winter Session of Parliament. “The Supreme Court has once again adjourned the hearing. This fortifies the VHP’s stand that the solution to the Ram Janambhoomi issue is not in eternally waiting for hearing of appeals pending for over seven years.

“We reiterate our request to the Union government to enact a law to clear the way for building a grand temple of Lord Ram at his birthplace in Ayodhya,” Kumar said.

The VHP has called a two-day ‘Dharam Sansad’, a meeting of seers, on January 31 and February 1 next year to discuss the Ram temple issue. This will be held on the sidelines of the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad.

CPI leader D Raja said the matter is sub-judice but the BJP leaders are making statements regarding the temple construction through Ordinance route. “We are not an autocratic system, democratic institutions should take cognisance of these kinds of statements,” he said.