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No hidden agenda to build Ram temple in Ayodhya, government tells Lok Sabha

The government today sought to allay apprehensions that there was a 'hidden agenda' to construct a Ram temple at Ayodhya, and said it would abide by the court order of maintaining status quo at the disputed site.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Madan Lal Khurana told the Lok Sabha during zero hour that the government had no information that efforts are being made to construct the Ram temple at Ayodhya.

The issue was raised by Muslim League member G M Banatwala who said the Vishwa Hindu Parishad was secretly making preparations for building the temple. He said it was a serious matter as the court was yet to give its verdict on the title of the disputed place.

Several other MPs from the opposition joined Banatwala demanding a clarification on reports in a section of the press that more than 200 pillars had already been carved and carted to a place near Ayodhya.

"The government does not want keep ambiguity in the minds of the people about the alleged reports about preparations for the construction of the temple," Khurana said, adding that ''We are committed to strictly follow the court orders of maintaining status quo at Ayodhya. There should be no confusion on this count''.

The opposition members wanted a statement from the government on security and safety of the Babri masjid-Ram Janambhoomi against any attempt to construct a Ram temple without taking the nation into confidence.

The issue figured in the Rajya Sabha as well, when several Opposition members on Wednesday expressed concern over reports of preparations being made by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad to build a Ram temple at Ayodhya, and urged the prime minister to give an assurance that this will not be allowed.

Making a special mention, E Balanandan (CPI-M) quoted a newspaper report to say that frantic preparations were going on to build a Ram temple at the disputed site at Ayodhya. The site has been recently supervised by Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Ashok Singhal and the temple can be erected any day, he said, adding this was going to seriously affect national unity and the secular foundation of the country.

K M Khan of the Congress said those who were responsible for the demolition of the Babri Masjid were the ones who are now engaged in the preparations to build a Ram temple at Ayodhya. He said pillars of the temple were being constructed at a place in Sirohi district of Rajasthan, and wondered how preparations for the temple at Ayodhya can go on when the matter is sub judice.

John F Fernandes (Congress) said the prime minister should give an assurance that preparations for the temple would not be allowed, as the home minister himself has been charge-sheeted in the Babri Masjid demolition case.

Vijaya Kumar Malhotra from the ruling BJP sought to allay the fears of members, and said preparations for construction of the temple had been going on since the last 15 to 20 years, and there was nothing new about it. He said the government would go ahead with the construction of the temple only if it was permitted by the court or if the BJP got sufficient majority to get a bill passed for the purpose in the House.

UNI

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