Hindustan Times (Chandigarh)

Religious leaders mobilise support for Ram temple

Ask Centre to pass legislatio­n for constructi­on of the temple

- HT Correspond­ent

AMRITSAR : The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and other right wing organisati­ons organised a ‘dharma sabha’ here on Sunday (VHP) to mobilise support and spread awareness regarding the constructi­on of Ram Temple at Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh.

Thousands of people gathered here in the city at Dussehra Ground near Trilium Mall for two hours on Sunday afternoon in which religious leaders backed the constructi­on of Ram Temple at the centuries-old disputed site in Ayodhya that has remained at the centre of Indian politics for 25 years.

The gathering also raised slogans of ‘Jai Shri Ram’, ‘pehle mandir, phir sarkar’ (temple first, government later) to back constructi­on of the Ram Temple.

“Rajiv Gandhi supported the constructi­on of Ram Temple. Now, it is the duty of Rahul Gandhi to fulfil his dream,” said Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Surinder Singh Jain as he addressed the gathering.

He added, “Rahul should support the Modi government to pass the bill in the Parliament to pave way for the constructi­on of the Ram Temple.”

“The Narendra Modi- led government should pass the bill in order to get Hindu votes in 2019 Lok Sabha elections,” he said.

Shri Ram Janmabhoom­i Nyas Samiti member Harinder Agarwal said, “Ram Temple is the heart and soul of millions of Hindus across the globe. We will organise more than 500 religious assemblies to force the Centre to bring an ordinance to support constructi­on of the temple. The delay in Supreme Court verdict is irking masses and the decision should be made by the Centre.”

Similar congregati­ons were also held in other areas of Punjab, including Ropar, Chandigarh, Pathankot and Ferozepur, on Sunday.

Thousands of people from political and non-political background­s assembled here on Sunday at a ‘dharma sabha’ organised by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad to back the constructi­on of a Ram Temple.

At the event, Ram Janamabhum­i Nyas convenor Anil Mahajan, Akhil Bharatiya Sant Samaj Samiti National general secretary Swami Jatindrana­nd and VHP national organising secretary Ras Bihari called on people to participat­e in making of the temple.

VHP and Rashtriya Swyamsevak Sangh (RSS) leaders added that they wished for a legislatio­n to be passed during the ongoing winter session of Parliament for the constructi­on of Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

“We wish that the Centre helps us to construct the temple before December 31,” they said.

Members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) registered their presence at the event which was filled with saffron flags while pictures of Ram were put up on entry points.

To ensure there was no law and order problem during the event, extra security was put in place with Punjab Police personnel deployed at the event.

 ?? HT PHOTO ?? Leaders of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and other right-wing organisati­ons during an assembly at Dussehra Ground in Amritsar on Sunday.
HT PHOTO Leaders of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and other right-wing organisati­ons during an assembly at Dussehra Ground in Amritsar on Sunday.

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