Centre should clear hurdles to build Ram temple: VHP

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Wednesday urged the central government to clear all hurdles within a year to ensure construction of Lord Ram's temple in Ayodhya at the main site.

It also demanded that the legitimate right of construction of Ram temple should be given to Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas.

"The government should start the process of construction of Ram temple after clearing the hurdles in a year," VHP patron Ashok Singhal said at a press conference here.

"The responsibity of the construction of temple should be given to Ram Janmbhoomi Nyas as it has already collected three lakh rocks and have the mandate of saints," he added.

Singhal also said the government should offer a different site to construct the mosque.

"The government, for the purpose of public interest, can issue a notice to the Babri Masjid Muthwali for acquisition of the land and building of Babri Masjid and offer another site to build a mosque," the VHP leader said.

The Allahabad High Court in a judgement had observed that a mosque could be constructed next to the temple. But both the parties to the suit, dissatisfied for different reasons, had then appealed to the Supreme Court in special leave petitions where the matter now rests.

BJP leader Subramaniam Swamy, who was alo present at the press conference, said legally there was no hurdle in Ram temple's construction and thus government should initiate the process.

He also asked the BJP leadership to fulfil its Lok Sabha poll promise in this regard.

VHP has also convened a national seminar of Hindu outfits and saints between January 9-10 to discuss the solution of the issue.