VHP steps up heat on Ram Temple issue

Seeking to build momentum ahead of the elections for building the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, a panel of top saints from across the country on Friday decided to besiege members of Parliament and ask them to to pass a law.

The Sant Uchchadhikar Samiti, an empowered committee of saints from across the country, also voiced their exasperation over the delay in the Supreme Court verdict in the Ram temple case and announced a mass mobilisation campaign to support their cause.

The saints virtually put the Modi government on notice saying they would decide on the future course of action if it failed to enact a law for building the temple.

More than 20,000 saints will gather for a two-day Dharma Sansad (religious parliament) from January 31-February 1 at Allahabad during the Kumbh Mela and take a final decision on taking the Ram Temple movement forward, Alok Kumar, Vishwa Hindu Parishad working president, told reporters in New Delhi.

The meeting of the Samiti, chaired by Nritya Gopal Das of the Ram Jannabhoomi Nyas, witnessed heated debate on the Ram temple issue with a section of saints demanding promulgation of an Ordinance.

The delegation of saints also met President Ram Nath Kovind and urged his to ask the central government to enact a law to clear the path for building a Ram Temple.

The delegation accused the Opposition parties of putting up obstacles in the Supreme Court by way of trying to launch impeachment proceedings against the then chief justice of India Dipak Misra, who had announced day-to-day hearing of the Ram Temple case.

The saints have also chalked out a four-point programme to rally the masses in support of the Ram Temple.

The renewed pitch for the Ram temple coincides with the elections in five states— Rajasthan, Chhatisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana and Mizoram.

The temple issue may find some resonance in the Hindi-speaking states.

In October, state units of VHP would mobilise masses in their respective areas and meet the Governors with a memorandum for the construction of the temple by passing a law.

In November, VHP would organise massive rallies in every Lok Sabha constituency and corner respective members of Parliament in the leadership of saints with an appeal to clear the obstacles in the temple construction.

In December, programmes will be held in every place of religious worship as per local traditions for ramping up support for the Ram Temple at Ayodhya.

The delegation of saints will also call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to apprise him of the feelings of millions of “Ram devotees” and urge him to make a law for a grand temple in Ayodhya.