Alternative options on Ram Temple being discussed: Yogi

Under pressure from the saint community following Supreme Court's decision to defer the hearing of the Ayodhya case till January next year, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday said that majority sentiment should be respected and hinted that ''alternative options'' on the Temple issue were being ''discussed''.

Adityanath, who had till now been asking the saints to be patient and wait for the SC verdict on the issue, said during an informal chat with reporters here that ''justice not delivered in time turned into injustice''.

''The majority wants an early resolution of the Ram Temple issue....it would have been better if the supreme court had expedited the hearing of the matter,'' he said.

''The best way to resolve the issue is through a consensus....there are other ways if there is no consensus,'' the chief minister added.

''Ram Temple is a question of faith for the majority...every option, that respects the public sentiment, should be discussed,'', he said in reply to a question about enacting a law for the construction of the Ram Temple.

Adityanath's remarks assume significance as it is the first time the UP chief minister has called for exploring alternative ways for Ram Temple construction.

The saints and seers in Ayodhya and elsewhere have been pressing the BJP government to take the legislative route for Ram Temple construction at Ayodhya. The demand has gained further momentum after Monday's deferment of the hearing in the apex court.