Demand for ordinance grows within BJP

Congress says wait for the Supreme Court verdict

Demand for bringing an Ordinance for early construction of Ram Temple at Ayodhya grew stronger on Monday within the BJP and various Sangh Parivar outfits, while the Congress called for restraint and awaiting the Supreme Court verdict without linking the issue with votebank politics.

Soon after the Supreme Court said the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute cases would be heard by an appropriate bench in the first week of January 2019, voices emerged within the BJP favouring early construction of the temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya.

RSS spokesperson Arun Kumar said the court should deliver an early verdict and the government should make a law to remove hurdles in the way of giving land for a temple if required.

BJP leader Vinay Katiyar alleged that the issue was being delayed under pressure from the Congress, which denied the charge. “The decision is being delayed under pressure from the Congress. People like Kapil Sibal and Prashant Bhushan are pressing for delaying the issue. Till when will Ram bhakts (devotees) wait? In 2019, the Congress will come to know,” he said.

BJP’s ally Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said the Ram temple is an issue of faith and demanded that the govt comes out with an Ordinance soon.

“It is a matter of faith. The court cannot decide on this. The government should bring an ordinance,” he said.

Congress leader Anand Sharma said, “Everyone should patiently wait for the Supreme Court verdict. Congress party has stated that it will welcome and accept the Supreme Court verdict.”

Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad told reporters that the government has full faith in the court but added that a lot of people in the country want that the hearing on the issue should be completed soon.