Will initiate 1992-like movement if needed: RSS on Ram Mandir construction

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) general secretary Bhaiyyaji Joshi on Friday asserted that a movement similar to the one initiated in 1992 will be carried out, if necessary.

On December 6, 1992 Babri Masjid in Ayodhya was demolished, allegedly by a group of Hindu activists, claiming that the mosque was constructed after demolishing a Ram temple that originally stood there. Since then, several hearings have been held in the Supreme Court to resolve the issue.

Addressing the media on Friday after the conclusion of a three-day working committee meeting of the RSS, Joshi expressed disappointment in the Supreme Court's decision to postpone the hearing of the title suit and pressed for the immediate construction of a Ram temple in the land which, they claim, was the the 'janmabhoomi' or birthplace of Lord Ram.

"We understand there are some obstacles in the creation of the temple. However, Lord Ram is there in every heart and he manifests through temples. We expect that the Supreme Court will consider and understand the sentiments of the Hindus while delivering a verdict at the earliest," he said.

Defending the initiation of a law, Joshi said the decision of bringing an ordinance for the construction of the temple lies only in the hands of the government, adding that the RSS has no say in it.

"Those who want to demand an ordinance to facilitate construction of Ram temple should go ahead. Whether it can be brought in or not is something that the government has to decide," he added.

On October 29, the Supreme Court adjourned the Ayodhya title suit till next year to fix a date for the hearing.

The court was hearing the matter which challenged the 2010 ruling of the Allahabad High Court which divided the disputed land into three parts.