RSS creating communal tension on Ram temple issue: Congress

The Congress on Friday accused the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) of creating communal tension in the nation on the Ram temple issue, adding that the construction of the temple should be done with the consent of all the political parties.

"The very same RSS and the people carrying this agenda are creating communal tensions by which no governments are able to proceed with this idea. So, the communal tension is to be reduced and communal harmony is to be established. Anything which is done, should be with the concern of all the parties. It cannot be to create more enmity or hatred. It should be for peace and unity," Congress leader P.C. Chacko told ANI.

Chacko further said that the construction of the Ram temple should be done by taking everyone's consent.

Echoing similar sentiments, another Congress leader PL. Punia said, "The atmosphere is to be created, that is what we want. We are also for construction of temple. If a majority section of the country wants a temple to be constructed...is possible. But the thing is that, an atmosphere has to be created."

A day after RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat spoke in Kolkata, expressing hope that a Ram temple would be constructed in his lifetime, the RSS on Thursday issued a series of tweets quoting his views on the issue.

Bhagwat recalled that Somnath temple was rebuilt with the efforts of the then home minister Sardar Patel, whose contributions to public life has been celebrated by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government in a big way.

"India is rich in religion and culture. Ram is our ideal whom some regard as god and some as a great man ... Society should rise taking inspiration from Ram and Sharad Kothari and prepare for building a grand Ram temple like Somnath," the RSS chief said in his tweet.

The RSS chief was referring to brothers Ram and Sharad Kothari, activists killed in police firing on karservaks in 1990 during a march to the disputed site in Ayodhya.

"The grand goal may be realized in our own time. Maybe, we can see it with our own eyes," he added.

Bhagwat had on Wednesday said he hopes that the proposed Ram temple will be built at Ayodhya in his lifetime.

"The temple will be built within my lifetime.May be, we will see it with our own eyes. None can say when and how the temple will be constructed, but we need to be prepared and ready," Bhagwat said while addressing a programme in Kolkata.

"We need to plan it carefully. A good mix of 'josh' (passion) and 'hosh' (sanity) is needed to complete the work which Ram and Sharad had initiated," he added.