BJP ditches ‘restrain’, toes RSS line on temple

Even as the VHP visibly hardened its stand on the disputed site in Ayodhya —declaring that no structure apart from a Ram temple can be built there — the BJP too brought itself more in line with the Sangh Parivar, subtly firming up its position.

Even as the VHP visibly hardened its stand on the disputed site in Ayodhya —declaring that no structure apart from a Ram temple can be built there — the BJP too brought itself more in line with the Sangh Parivar, subtly firming up its position.

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The BJP core group that met on Friday, formulated a fresh position on the impending verdict, which echoes the RSS position.

“The BJP is of the considered opinion that judicial delays over the last 61 years have contributed to the failure of the resolution of the issue of construction of a Ram temple at Ayodhya,” said senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley. “We hope that the resolution of this issue is not delayed further.”

The party had refused to comment on the impending verdict — in line with L.K. Advani’s instruction for restraint — but its Friday’s position comes just a day after the Supreme Court deferred the Ayodhya title suits verdict.

The BJP’s shift is being seen as an attempt to react — in response to the Sunni Waqf Board’s reaction against the delay — to dispel any impression that the party is unduly defensive on the issue.

Further, the party has reiterated its position in favour of a temple.

The VHP was far more aggressive after a meeting of the committee of Sants on Friday.

VHP chief Ashok Singhal made it clear that there would be strong opposition to an adverse verdict.

“In these precincts, no place of worship of another religious community will be made,” the resolution of the Sant Uchchadhikar Samiti said. “We appeal to the Hindu Samaj… to prepare for the construction of a Ram temple through democratic means. If in any way there comes a proposal to build a mosque ... they should oppose it using all their abilities.”