The Hindu : 'Ram temple issue not negotiable'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Feb 16, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Karnataka

'Ram temple issue not negotiable'

By Our Special Correspondent

HUBLI Feb. 15. The international general secretary of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Pravin Togadia, was noncommittal on the VHP's campaign seeking the early release of land for the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya.

Replying to questions from presspersons here today, Dr. Togadia, was unwilling to explain what exactly was the hitch that had arisen between the VHP and the BJP, and what was holding up the release of the undisputed land for the construction of the temple.

To repeated questions on plans to expedite the release of land, Dr. Togadia would only say that it was for the dharam samsad, a conclave of the dharmacharyas, to decide on the future course of action. The VHP would simply carry out the decisions of the dharam samsad.

The dharam samsad, he said, was holding a three-day conclave from February 21 and everything was expected to be decided there. He expected the conclave to take a "strong stand".

According to Dr. Togadia, there was absolutely no problem in releasing the undisputed land for temple construction, which could be done by an executive order.

He chose to put the blame for the delay in the release of the undisputed land more on the All-India Muslim Personal Law Board than on the Union Government.

Asked whether he expected the BJP-led NDA Government to sort out the matter before the next general elections and what would happen if it was not resolved by that time, Dr. Togadia said any Government which failed to resolve the issue by the next elections would be rejected by the people.

The prospects of the Congress would improve if it changed its stand and backed the VHP on the issue, he said.

The only point on which Dr. Togadia was categorical was that the construction of the Ram temple was not a negotiable issue.

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