The Hindu : We are for temple, says PM

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Feb 21, 2003

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We are for temple, says PM

MANDI(Himachal Pradesh) Feb. 20. The Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, today advocated the cause of Ram temple in Ayodhya and said he would prefer to die than eat beef.

"We want to build the Ram Temple at Ayodhya . We are confident that it will be proved by historical evidence that there existed a temple," he said addressing his first election rally in Himachal Pradesh.

"However if it is not then let the courts decide and we will abide by it. Let the Congress say whether it will accept the verdict if the existence of Ram temple is proved," he said. He dared the Congress to clarify its position on Ayodhya and cow slaughter.

Stung by the reported allegation of the Congress in Madhya Pradesh that he ate beef, Mr. Vajpayee said: "I prefer to die rather than eat beef. Though cow slaughter in most of the country is banned, we will enact legislation to fill the loophole''. In an apparent reference to the sex scandals allegedly involving Punjab Ministers, Mr. Vajpayee said: "Women are being humiliated. It should not happen. Women should be respected.''

Mr. Vajpayee asked the Congress to get used to sitting in the opposition for at least 20 years more as the BJP has remained there for almost 45 years. — PTI

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