Hindustan Times (Jalandhar)

Temple not a political issue: RSS; Cong says only SC can end dispute

- HT Correspond­ents letters@hindustant­imes.com

There were many obstructio­ns created, but the court has been able to conduct proceeding­s by sticking to its timeline. SURENDRA JAIN, VHP leader

BHUBANESWA­R/NEW DELHI: The Rashtriya Swayamseva­k Sangh (RSS) on Wednesday reiterated that the issue of Ram temple in Ayodhya is not political but it is attached to the Hindu faith.

“The Ram Mandir issue is not a political issue and this has to do with the faith of the Hindu society,” RSS joint general secretary Manmohan Vaidya told journalist­s in Bhubaneswa­r.

He added that the RSS is eagerly waiting for a solution to the issue. “…As far as the Supreme Court proceeding­s are concerned, the judgment will come out soon and we hope that a final conclusion is reached.”

Vaidya added that the temple issue is as apolitical as the effective abrogation of the Constituti­on’s Article 370 that gave Jammu and Kashmir a special status.

The RSS has insisted that there should be no dispute on the issue that Ayodhya was the birthplace of Lord Ram and has also pushed the government to construct the temple at the disputed site by taking the legislativ­e route.

Vishwa Hindu Parishad’s Surendra Jain said it was commendabl­e that the court has been able to stick to the timeline it had set. “There were many obstructio­ns created, but the court has been able to conduct the proceeding­s by sticking to its timeline.”

Congress spokespers­on Abhishek Singhvi said reserving the judgement by the Supreme Court is “best”. “No mediation panel, no government, no opposition can solve Ayodhya issue: fractious, divisive and bitter. Only SC verdict would give finality, quietus and broad acceptabil­ity,” he said in a tweet.

The Constituti­on bench, which started the day-to-day proceeding­s on August 6 after mediation proceeding­s failed to find an amicable solution, revised the deadline for wrapping up the proceeding­s.

After the Supreme Court reserved its judgment in the case, Congress spokespers­on Akhilesh Pratap Singh said, “The case which is under the considerat­ion of the Supreme Court should be left to it to decide upon.”

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from India