VHP ‘Dharma Sabha’ : Demands early construction of Ram temple at disputed site in Ayodhya
NEW DELHI : The Vishwa Hindu Parishad organised a massive rally, or ‘dharma sabha’, at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi on Sunday, a huge right-wing rally to demand the fast-tracking of the Ram temple at Ayodhya.The attending groups, which include the BJP’s ideological mentor, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), want the government to pass an ordinance or executive order to bypass the legal process in the coming winter session of parliament.
Without naming the ruling BJP, senior RSS functionary Suresh ‘Bhaiyyaji’ Joshi sharply criticized the party and its government. “Those in power today had promised to construct Ram Temple. They should listen to people and fulfill the demand of temple in Ayodhya. They are aware of the sentiments,” he said. “We are not begging for it. We are expressing our emotions. The country wants ‘Ram rajya’,” he added.
Senior RSS leader Suresh ‘Bhaiyyaji’ Joshi made a veiled attack on the BJP for not fulfilling its promise of constructing Ram Temple in Ayodhya and demanded the Union government to enact a legislation, if need be, for it. The RSS executive head said, “Those in power today had promised to construct Ram Temple. They should listen to people and fulfil the demand of temple in Ayodhya. They are aware of the sentiments.”
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat had initially raised the demand of an “appropriate and requisite” law to facilitate the building of the Ram temple. Later, as the Supreme Court, where the Ayodhya title suit is pending, refused to grant a speedy verdict, the call for an ordinance grew louder In January, the judges are expected to name a date to begin the hearing. But with the temple on hold for more than 25 years, the right-wing groups say they have waited long enough.
Allies like the Shiv Sena have alleged that the BJP is using the temple issue as an election gimmick — a view that the opposition also holds. At a public meeting in Ayodhya last month, which coincided with a VHP rally there, Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray warned the BJP that they would not remain in power if they don’t start the temple building process.
The VHP started their mass mobilization programme last month with a rally in Ayodhya. One of the religious leaders attending it, Swami Rambhadracharya, said a Union minister has assured him that a decision on the temple will be taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his ministers after December 11. The next rally will be held in Ahmedabad. The campaign will culminate at Prayag with a ‘Dharam Sansad’ of priests and saints. The final religious congregation will be held on January 31 and February 1.
In a bid to tighten the security in the national capital, at least 210 more CCTV cameras have been installed in and around the ground as well as on the roads leading to Delhi Gate and Rajpath. Cops have also set up four special control rooms in order to monitor feeds and relay instructions media reported.
Nearly 25-30 companies – consisting of paramilitary forces and Delhi Police personnel – have been deployed at the pot to maintain law and order situation during the rally. Spotters have been deployed on buildings in old Delhi areas, while snipers were also stationed on high-rises, the report said. (With Agency Inputs).
