RSS threatens 1992-like mass movement for Ram Temple

The RSS on Friday hinted at a 1992-like "mass movement" to ensure that a grand temple of Lord Rama comes up in Ayodhya.

"If need be, we will launch a mass movement for the Ram Mandir," RSS general secretary Bhaiyyaji Joshi said when asked about the stance of the Sangh if there is further delay on the part of courts to resolve the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute and a law could not be promulgated.

His statement comes hours after BJP President Amit Shah called on top RSS brass and had a meeting with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on the sidelines of the three-day Akhil Bharatiya Karyakarini Mandal (working committee meeting) which concluded at the Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini at Keshav-Shrusti in Uttan at Bhayander in Thane district, nearly 40 km off Mumbai.

During the closed-door meeting, several important issues, including Ram Mandir, were discussed.

"We were expecting some good news before Diwali," he said, referring to the Supreme Court hearing last month, and said that the apex court pushed it further.

"By observing that it was not a matter of priority and deferring the hearing (till January 2019), the Supreme Court has insulted the feelings of Hindus," he said.

Joshi said it was a matter of deep pain and anguish. "We expected that the Supreme Court would take into consideration the sentiments of Hindus and the delay in construction of the temple," he said, adding the "society" expects that the Ram temple should come up.

"There is a 1994 judgement of the Supreme Court... there is a ruling of the Allahabad High Court in 2010... we have the findings of the Archaeological Survey of India... and in 2011, the appeal in Supreme Court came... there is a delay of six to seven years already," he said.

On the issue of promulgation of an ordinance or a law, he said: "It is something that is to be decided by the government."

He, however, said that it is imperative that the Supreme Court resolves "sensitive" issues. "We are clear... the Constitution and courts have to be respected."

When his attention was drawn to Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray's impending visit to Ayodhya, he said he cannot comment as he was not a spokesman of Sena.

On Rahul Gandhi's diatribe against the Sangh Parivar, he said: "It is to be seen how much seriousness can be attached to his statements".