Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said that building the Ram temple in Ayodhya is an important issue for the BJP and welcomed an out-of-court settlement to resolve the sub-judice issue. He also asserted that development was the priority of the NDA Government. “All issues are important. But we have to fix priorities. Right now, we are working on the development agenda. As you are aware, Ram temple is a sub-judice issue. Ram temple is an important issue and we have to wait for the court’s verdict. But the two communities may hold talks on the issue and can find a solution,” Singh said, when asked whether the Modi Government had put the Ram temple and Article 370 issue on the back burner.
Addressing a Press conference to highlight the achievements of the Modi Government on completion of one year in office, the Home Minister made it clear that currently no discussions were going on between the Hindus and Muslims to resolve the decades-old dispute. “No talks as of now. If there is a middle path, then there is nothing like it. We welcome an out-of-court settlement. But the matter is sub-judice now,” he said. Rajnath Singh parried questions on scrapping of Article 370, which provides special status to Jammu & Kashmir. “Abhi, abhi to sarkar bani hai (The Government has been just formed in the State).”
Replying to another question on the role of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in Government, Singh said he himself is an RSS ‘swayamsevak’ and believes in the organisation’s ideology. “I am an RSS swayamsevak. I believe in the RSS’ ideology as it promotes an India where all 72 sects of Islam exist. RSS promotes an Indian culture due to which a 2,000-year-old church exists in Kerala. “RSS promotes Indian culture by virtue of which Parsis from Iran are given utmost respect here. RSS also promotes an Indian culture where Jews are respected,” he said.
Responding to questions on the tussle between the Centre and Aam Aadmi Party-led Delhi Government, the Home Minister reiterated that everybody should work within the framework of the Constitution and uphold the spirit of it. He rejected questions on the demand of full statehood to Delhi. Singh further said that if any law and order problem arose in the national Capital, the Central Government is obliged to intervene. “I don’t want to say who is doing what but we are committed to upholding the Constitution. law and order is also my duty...We will see,” he said.
When asked if a jung (war) is going on between the Centre and the Delhi Government, Singh said in a lighter vein, “There is no jung, only Najeeb Jung.” Asked about the whereabouts of Dawood Ibrahim, the Home Minister said a Red Corner Notice was issued against the underworld don and India has been asking Pakistan to hand him over in a number of bilateral meetings. “The last dossier (on Dawood) was exchanged in 2012,” he said. Singh also justified action against some NGOs for alleged irregularities while receiving foreign funds and their spending, saying all action had been taken as per law. “If anyone has any grievance, he or she can move court,” he said.
Sharing his experience at the helm of affairs for the last one year in the Home Ministry, Singh said working in the sensitive Ministry was more like playing a test match and that too, a longer version. “We have strengthened the internal security network without losing a wicket. The internal security environment in the country has improved. There is reduction in incidents of violence in Jammu & Kashmir and left Wing Extremist (lWE)-affected areas,” he said.
The Home Minister said many initiatives have been taken in lWE-affected areas. 2,199 mobile towers have been approved in those areas. “The first year has been the year of consolidation for the MHA and we hope to strengthen it further,” he said. Commenting on the hoisting of the Pakistani flag at regular intervals in Kashmir, Singh said “We will not tolerate that. No one will be allowed to misuse our soil.”