‘Pushing for ordinance on Ayodhya incorrect’

KOLKATA: Union Minister of State for Social Justice Ramdas Athawale on Monday said bringing ordinance for the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya will not be right as the matter is sub judice.

Acknowledging the demand of the Hindu community to build a Ram temple in his birthplace, the minister said the construction of the temple should be done after taking the local community into confidence.

“I do not think bringing ordinance on the temple will be the right decision. We should wait for the Supreme Court’s verdict. People should accept the apex court judgement,” said Athawale, the president of Republican Party of India.

“The demand of the Hindu society to build a temple of Lord Ram in Ayodhya is legitimate and that should be accepted. But the community living there should also be taken into confidence,” he said.

“Any attempt to build the temple by taking law in one’s own hand is not permissible,” he said.

A congregation of Hindu seers on Sunday demanded the government bring an ordinance or a law for construction of Ram temple at Ayodhya, and vowed to hold meetings across the country to rally public sentiments in the matter.

A number of Bharatiya Janata Party ministers, including Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, seconded the demand.

Taking a dig at Congress of not taking a clear stand on issues such as construction of Ram temple or the Sabarimala temple, Athawale said Rahul Gandhi is busy in blaming the Centre on the Rafale fighter jet deal.

‘ANY ATTEMPT TO BUILD THE TEMPLE BY TAKING LAW IN ONE’S OWN HAND IS NOT PERMISSIBLE’