Ram temple...

The Sena has been consistently taking on the BJP for not fulfilling its poll promise of constructing the temple. The party has been demanding that the Centre brings in an ordinance, instead of waiting for the Supreme Court’s verdict. Thackeray, in an attempt to put pressure on the BJP, is also going to visit Ayodhya on November 25.

“The issue of the Ram temple was sidetracked after this government came to power. It was only after the Sena took up the issue again and insisted on the construction of the temple did the RSS feel the need for an agitation ,” Thackeray said on Friday.

Earlier in the day, the RSS general secretary Joshi however, said he welcomed Thackeray’s Ayodhya visit. “We believe all those who speak in favour of the Ram Mandir stand united with us,” he said.

Joshi said the RSS was “upset” with the delay in the Supreme Court’s verdict. “We expected a positive development before Diwali, but the court has indefinitely prolonged it,” he said. “The faith of crores of Hindus is linked to the issue. If it is not on top of the Supreme Court’s priority list, it is an insult to the Hindu community.”

“Everybody hopes the temple will be built. Social aspirations cannot be governed by law,” he said. Joshi’s comments came during the concluding session of the RSS’ three-day bi-annual convention held near Mumbai, in Uttan.rss chief Mohan Bhagwat had spoken at the conclave too.

Joshi said the BJP, too, was “serious” about the Ram temple issue, and that party president Amit Shah had met Bhagwat on the sidelines of the convention. On the RSS beginning an agitation, Joshi said there were restrictions on such activities as the case was pending in court.

Joshi also questioned the SC’S verdict on allowing women into the Sabarimala temple, and said such decisions should be taken after involving the people associated with the temple. “The RSS supports the entry of women in temples. If the Sabarimala issue was only about women gaining access to temples, the RSS will support it. But, temples have their rules and traditions, which must be understood before taking such decisions.” months. Apte further submitted that the state had approached the central government to approve a proposal to restart the dumping ground at Mulund.

The court accepted the submissions by the state and also took on record the BMC’S statement that dumping continues at the Deonar dumping ground in light of an extension granted by the HC. It also directed the BMC to submit when the Deonar dumping ground would be shut down.