Saffron clad members of VHP, RSS and devotees of all age groups gathered from remote corners of north India at the main ground to press for Ram temple construction. They sent a stern message to PM Modi that if the temple was not built, BJP will face the consequences.

Image Courtesy: NDTV
 
New Delhi: Just a few days after the anniversary of the Babri Masjid demolition, the fascist, Hindutva extremists reared their ugly heads again. On December 9, over two lakh people gathered to demand a Ram temple in Ayodhya at the disputed site. A ‘dharma sabha’ was held at Ramlila Ground in New Delhi where senior Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leaders and RSS functionaries sent a stern message to PM Modi and the people of the country that they were not “begging” for their rights.
 
The Dharma Sabha was presided over by Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Swami Avdheshanand Giri. He said that the administration and the judiciary will have to respect the sentiments of people who have arrived here and want the temple built in Ayodhya.
 
A procession comprising trucks, SUVs and motorcycles was taken out on the eve of the Babri Masjid demolition anniversary and the rally or march by VHP and RSS supporters went door to door to campaign and get people to join them.
 
Hateful slogans were a common theme of the rally. Some of the participants deliberately chanted “Babar ke auladon, ghar jao” (Sons of Babar, go back home) while passing through a nearby Muslim colony.
 
Some even said, “Ek dhakka aur do, Jama masjid tod do,” (Give one more kick and demolish the Jama Masjid.)


 
Poet Imran Pratapgarhi asked what should these participants be called, rioters or members of an organisation?


 
He asked what this message meant in New Delhi, the seat of power, where all national decisions are made, where the Supreme court is and where all the national media houses were.
 
Members of the RSS and VHP decided to launch a nationwide door-to-door campaign later this month to put pressure on the Union government to give in to their demands or face the consequences.
 
Saffron clad members of VHP, RSS and devotees of all age groups gathered from remote corners of north India at the main ground to press for Ram temple construction.
 
“Even as the title suit of the Ayodhya land dispute case is pending before the Supreme Court, which is expected to announce a date in January for the beginning of the hearing, Ram Mandir supporters appeared determined to build the temple in Ayodhya. Despite the Babri deadlock remaining unresolved for more than 25 years and currently sub-judice, right-wing groups are demanding that the Union government sidestep the courts and go ahead with the temple construction,” reported Quint.
 
“Those in power today had promised to construct a Ram temple. They should listen to people and fulfil the demand of a temple in Ayodhya. They are aware of the sentiments. We are not begging for it. We are expressing our emotions. The country wants Ram Rajya,” said Suresh ‘Bhaiyyaji’ Joshi, national general secretary, or Sarkaryawaha, of the RSS. Joshi is also the executive head of the RSS.
 
“The timing of the ‘dharam sansad’, or congregation of Hindu religious leaders, in the national capital comes just two days before the start of the month-long winter session of Parliament--the last full session before the general elections early next year. The VHP is also preparing for a nationwide door-to-door campaign to gather support for the early construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya. The outreach campaign is scheduled for 18-26 December. “We want to put pressure on the Union government and all other political parties should come forward and support the demand for a Ram temple. People have waited for it for more than 25 years and now they are not ready to wait any longer. The government should understand the sentiments of the devotees of Lord Ram,” said Vinod Bansal, another senior VHP leader, a report by Livemint said.
 
With the 2019 general elections scheduled to take place within the next six months, the RSS and the VHP have planned a dharma sansad in every Lok Sabha constituency. “Ram temple is not a political issue and it should not be seen as an issue raised by one political party. We are meeting all Members of Parliament (MPs) to request them to take steps for Ram temple construction. The message is very clear, either take steps to pass a bill in Parliament, or there is a chance that MPs not supportive of the demand would lose their Lok Sabha seat,” said Bansal in the report.
 
“VHP members have also requested religious leaders of the Muslim community to join the movement and voluntarily give up the land at the disputed site to Hindus for the construction of a temple. VHP leaders said any initiative taken by the Muslim community for the early construction of the temple will bring harmony between the majority and minority communities,” the report observed.
 
The above statement went beyond the limits of irony. This is not the first time in history that sacrifices and adjustments are demanded from the minorities after trying to eliminate their very existence, inciting hatred, violence and vitriol against them.


It was evident from the mass gathering that they wanted 'Mandir' and not 'Vikas.'
 
VHP leaders organised similar meetings of Hindu religious leaders at seven places on November 25, including Ayodhya, Nagpur and Mangaluru, to press for a bill to construct the temple. VHP’s campaign will culminate at Prayag with a ‘Dharma Sansad’ of priests and saints. The final 'Dharma Sansad’ will be held on January 31 and February 1.


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