VHP plans to put pressure on BJP for Ram temple

NEWDELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi could be heading for another trouble with the Vishwa Hindu Parishad over construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya, with the right-wing group announcing a sankalp (resolution) programme to drum up support for the Ayodhya issue.

The events will be held at 5,000 places across the country on Ram Navami (April 5) to build the case for a Ram Temple, followed by a conference of Hindu seers in Haridwar in June.

“We are confident that Yogi (Adityanath) and Modi will fulfil the desire of Hindus,” VHP working president Praveen Togadia told reporters here.

Yogi Adityanath has taken over as the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh that the BJP won with three-fourths majority this month.

This is BJP’s return to power after a gap of 15 years.

The firebrand leader reminded the BJP of a resolution it passed in the Palampur conclave of the party in 1987, wherein it suggested construction of a Ram Temple through law by Parliament.

“The BJP stands by that resolution even today. The party also promised in its Uttar Pradesh manifesto that it will explore a solution to the dispute through constitutional method,” Togadia said, adding that the VHP was also of the view that a solution should come through constitutional methods. The construction of a Ram Temple in Ayodhya is a communally sensitive issue, since the site is also claimed by Muslims for the Babri Masjid. The Babri mosque was demolished by workers and supporters of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh in 1992.

Togadia said legislature, executive and judiciary were three wings of constitution and it was time that a solution to the Ram Temple dispute is found out by making a law. The SC recently suggested an out of court settlement for the dispute.