We are fully dedicated to Ram temple: Rajnath

Former BJP president Rajnath Singh holds that irrespective of the Ayodhya title suit judgment — due in less than two weeks — the party is dedicated to the final promise of a Ram temple at Ayodhya. Vikas Pathak reports.

Former BJP president Rajnath Singh holds that irrespective of the Ayodhya title suit judgment — due in less than two weeks — the party is dedicated to the final promise of a Ram temple at Ayodhya.

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He also says that in response to similar Chinese provocations, India should give stapled visas to Tibetans visiting India.

In a chat with HT, Singh, however, refused to comment on the impending court judgment or on the question as to whether the "temple" will come up through a judicial decisions or consultation between the two communities involved.

"We are fully dedicated to a Ram temple," he told HT.

"It's just a matter of opportunity. But about the impending judgment, I have nothing to say."

This position is close to that of the RSS and VHP — whose leaders have openly talked about constructing a temple —but differs with senior BJP leader L K Advani's line that BJP MPs should restrain themselves from commenting on the issue till the judgment is out.

Attacking the Centre for being soft on China despite provocations, Singh demanded that the government staple the visas of people from Tibet in response to similar Chinese steps vis-à-vis Kashmiris.

"The government should consider why we should not give stapled visas to people coming from Tibet to India. We should also reconsider out Vietnam policy," Singh said.

"India should take serious note of China's recent unfriendly attitude. The government reaction till now is unsatisfactory. If Kashmir is disputed and Arunachal Pradesh Chinese territory in China's eyes, why should India consider Tibet undisputed?" he said.