Ram temple issue is poll gimmick: NCP

Mumbai: The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s (RSS) demand that a law be passed to enable the construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya shows it lacks faith in the judiciary, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) said on Saturday.

The Babri Masjid-Ram temple issue is pending before the Supreme Court, NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik pointed out. “Still, the Sarsanghc-halak (RSS chief) wants a law, and the alliance partner speaks on the same lines. Does it not amount to not having faith in the judicial system?” he asked.

“Why isn’t there a willingness to accept whatever verdict the court may pass,” Mr Malik said.

During his annual Vijayadashami speech in Nagpur, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said on Thursday that the government should pa-ve the way for the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya by enac-ting a suitable law. The construction of Ram te-mple was necessary fro-m the “self-esteem poi-nt of view”, and it will usher in an atmosphere of goodwill and oneness, Mr Bhagwat said.

“People are feeling in-secure. The Ram temple is being talked abo-ut because elections are around,” NCP’s national secretary Hemant Takle said.