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PM keeps temple issue alive

PM keeps temple issue alive

Author: Our Political Bureau
Publication: The Business Standard
Date: February 21, 2003
URL: http://www.business-standard.com/archives/2003/feb/50210203.054.asp

Introduction: Prime Minister's remarks come two days before the VHP's Dharam Sansad

Although neither the Dharam Sansad on February 22, nor the Supreme Court hearing on Ayodhya tomorrow is likely to take the Ram temple issue forward, Prime Minister Atal Bihari kept the political mood alive.

He said in Mandi (Himachal Pradesh) today: "We want to build the Ram temple at Ayodhya. We are confident that there is enough historical evidence to prove a temple existed there. However, if not, then let the courts decide and we will abide by it."

Adding a sting to the tail, the Prime Minister observed: "But let the Congress say whether it will accept the verdict if the existence of the Ram temple is proved".

Vajpayee was addressing his first meeting in the run-up to the election campaign in Himachal Pradesh.

It is significant that he made these remarks a day before the Supreme Court is to hear a petition on whether religious rites should be allowed in the undisputed part of the Ram Janmabhumi complex, a day before a meeting of the Margdarshak Mandal and two days before the Dharam Sansad.

It is another matter that the court is likely to say nothing on the issue because the last order said the matter must go before a larger Bench and it is listed before a three- judge Bench.

At the same time, sources in the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) said the meeting of Hindu religious leaders tomorrow and on Saturday is likely to do nothing beyond setting a new date for temple construction to keep the temple issue alive till the elections.

Religious leaders are likely to tell the government that whether the court permits construction or not, at least the undisputed portion of the Ram Janmabhumi complex should be acquired by the government through legislation and handed over to the Vishva Hindu Parishad.

In the light of reports that there was continued tension between the Sangh parivar and the BJP, Vajpayee's speech was meant as much for the Hindus of Himachal as it was addressed to the Dharam Sansad.

That there was complete identity of views between the VHP and the BJP also came out clearly from the Prime minister's statements and from reports filtering out from the Sangh about the strategy the Dharam Sansad would adopt.

Although the Kanchi Shankaracharya has been acting as a "mediator" between the VHP and the government on the Ayodhya issue, the VHP views the Kanchi Shankaracharya's position as a sellout of the Hindu cause and would much rather back leaders like Acharya Dharmendra, an outspoken and blunt critic of the BJP government.

The recent "taming" of VHP general secretary Praveen Togadia by Murli Manohar Joshi reportedly at the instance of the Prime Minister has not gone down well in the VHP, which feels betrayed by the BJP.

"The temple cause is our cause. Maybe when Togadia spoke about Iraq, he spoke out of turn. But he is doing his job. When the final fruit of Togadia's efforts are going to be reaped by the BJP, what right do they have to criticise Togadia's efforts?" a VHP activist said.

However, in Himachal, Vajpayee made common cause with the temple-construction brigade. He made it clear that a smear campaign about his beef-eating actually strengthened his commitment to Hinduism.

"I would die rather than eat beef. Although cow slaughter in most parts of the country is banned, we will enact legislation to fill the loophole," he said.

Although there was mention of development work done by the BJP government in Himachal, the Prime Minister did not forget to praise Shanta Kumar, who is at loggerheads with Chief Minister P K Dhumal.

Vajpayee also noted the existence of rebels in the election by observing, "How can those who cannot be loyal to their party be loyal to the country?"
 


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