The Temple Tantrum

Heat is being applied on the Narendra Modi government to address the construction of a Ram temple on the disputed site of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya during the winter session of Parliament, which began on December 11.

- Ajit Kumar

If the judicial route is too difficult to negotiate, said Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) general secretary Suresh ‘Bhaiyyaji’ Joshi, the government should pass an ordinance or present a bill. He was speaking at a Vishva Hindu Parishad rally in Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan on December 9, the Sunday before the parliamentary session began.

Accusing the government of not fulfilling its election promise to construct a “bhavya (majestic) Ram temple” in Ayodhya, Joshi said: “Those in power are aware of people’s sentiments, they must listen to them... We are not begging, but only expressing our sentiments. The country wants Ram rajya.” Joshi also had harsh words for the Supreme Court, claiming that it was not possible to “walk the path of development if the people grow suspicious of the country’s judicial system”.