The Hindu : Cong. to oppose legislation on Ayodhya

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jun 17, 2003

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Cong. to oppose legislation on Ayodhya

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI JUNE 16. The Congress declared today that it would oppose any Central legislation on the Ayodhya issue in Parliament. The party spokesperson, Jaipal Reddy, said legislation "would be against the grain of the Constitution".

The Congress decision comes in the wake of attempts by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and its allies to up the ante on the issue and pressure the Central Government into bringing about such legislation. The tough position adopted by the Congress is thus significant.

The government is in a minority in the Rajya Sabha and without the Congress support it will be impossible to get the legislation passed in Parliament. For a Constitutional amendment bill to become law, it should be passed by both the Houses of Parliament and by a two-thirds majority of those present and voting.

Justifying the party's stand, Mr. Reddy said his party would oppose the law "as Parliament cannot play a partisan part and support only the alleged interest of a particular group''.

Such legislation would neither be politically desirable nor legally sustainable.

Mr. Reddy said that according to the Constitution, title suits could only be settled in court and any legislation on the matter would be against the grain of the Constitution. "A solution to the Ayodhya issue can be provided only through the judiciary," he said. The VHP has been pressing the BJP-led NDA Government to bring forward such legislation to pave the way for the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. The outfit has been arguing that those who vote against the law would pay dearly at the hustings.

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