VHP's 'Dharmik Sabha' is 'Adharmik': RJD

As the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Sunday organised a rally at the historic Ramlila Maidan here to mount pressure on the Centre for early construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) termed the gathering as "Adharmik Sabha."

Speaking to ANI, RJD leader Manoj Jha accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the organisations like the VHP of doing "dog whistle politics" in the name of Lord Ram.

"I am quite sure they are calling the gathering a 'Dharmik Sabha' or religious gathering but there is nothing 'Dharmik' about the gathering at all. It is an 'Adharmik Sabha' (non-religious gathering). The matter is in the Supreme Court but the BJP, the RSS, and organisations like VHP are doing dog whistle politics," said Jha.

"For them, Lord Ram is a matter of buttonhole. They put Lord Ram in the buttonhole. They wake up to the reality of Lord Ram in the election year. We should not allow these people to go berserk and destroy everything. This kind of dog-whistle politics should be stopped," Jha added.

During the rally, the VHP demanded a Bill for the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya to be tabled in the Winter Session of Parliament, starting from Tuesday.

During addressing the VHP's 'Dharma Sabha' at Ramlila ground, preacher Sadhvi Rithambhara called upon her supporters to "awake and attack like lions and not just sit with patience." Later while talking to ANI, she clarified that her statement means, "I want everyone to come together so that our problems should be solved. I want the Centre to bring an ordinance for early construction of Ram temple."

Echoing similar sentiments, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) international working president Alok Kumar told ANI that the right-wing organisation has been able to "convey a message to the Centre that it is imperative for the Parliament to consider and pass legislation for the construction of Ram temple during the Winter Session."

"We want a law but the Central government has to decide whether it is done through an ordinance or a Bill. Since the Winter Session of Parliament is about to start, I will prefer a Bill to the ordinance where all parties have a chance to share their views. I believe that through today's gathering a loud and clear message has been conveyed that the people of India want a Ram temple."

However, BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain said, "There is a feeling among the people that there should be the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya. So they came in large numbers to Delhi. In a democracy, we have to respect the feeling of the people. I believe that there will be no more delay for which they have come to Delhi."

Elaborate security arrangements were in place at the Ramlila ground and snipers were deployed on high rises to deal with any situation.

The construction of Ram Temple has been one of the big promises made by the ruling BJP in 2014. However, the Ayodhya case is sub-judice in the Supreme Court, which is expected to decide the date for the beginning of the hearing in the matter in January 2019.

The Babri Masjid, built by Mughal emperor Babur in 1578 in Ayodhya, was, on December 6, 1992, pulled down allegedly by a group of Hindu activists, claiming that the mosque was constructed after demolishing a Ram Temple.