Paswan opposes ordinance on Ram temple

Amid the RSS and VHP rant for an Ordinance on Ram temple, the BJP's ally and Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan on Thursday voiced his opposition to any such measure.

Paswan asserted that the Supreme Court's decision on the matter should be final.

He made it clear that his party would not support any move to bring an Ordinance for the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya

"Whatever judgement the Supreme Court gives on the Ram temple issue should be accepted by everyone, be it Hindu, Muslim or any other community. Our stand has been consistent. When the PM (Prime Minister) said that we will wait for the SC judgement, then all ifs and buts should end," Paswan told reporters.

The Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) chief's comments on the issue comes close after Prime Minister Narendra Modi ruled out immediate promulgation of an Ordinance for building the Ram temple in Ayodhya, saying that the move can be considered only after the judicial process is completed.

“The matter is in Courts and almost on the verge of completion. Let the Courts address it first. Once the judicial process is over, we are ready to make every effort as far as the government's responsibility is concerned,” Modi had said in an interview to ANI on Tuesday.

In its reaction to the prime minister's comment on the issue, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Wednesday asserted that it will continue its campaign to achieve its demand for a legislation to build the Ram temple, saying the Hindu society cannot be expected to wait till eternity for a Court's decision.

“The only appropriate way forward is to enact a legislation, clearing the way for the construction of a grand temple at the Ramjanmabhumi, now,” VHP working president Alok Kumar said.

Dattatreya Hosabale, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) joint general secretary, called the prime minister's comments as a “positive step” in the direction of the temple's construction.

He, however, reminded Modi of the BJP's 2014 Lok Sabha poll manifesto which had promised to explore all options within the parameters of the Constitution to get the Ram temple constructed.

It's not just the LJP in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) disfavouring demand for an Ordinance or legislation for Ram temple.

Janata Dal-United, another key ally of the BJP, recently made it clear that it does not support any such move.

"We are of the opinion that the Ram Mandir (temple) matter should be solved through a Court decision," Bihar chief minister and JD-U chief Nitish Kumar said in Patna.

The Supreme Court is scheduled to take up hearing of the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title dispute case on Friday.