Ram temple construction to start in Ayodhya: Ex-BJP MP

Former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Ram Vilas Vedanti on Tuesday said work towards the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh will begin before December 6 this year.

Talking to reporters in Lucknow, Vedanti, also a senior member of the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyaas, said this would be done most likely through legislation by the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, paving the way for a grand Ram temple.

The Babri Masjid-Ram Janambhoomi matter is before the Supreme Court, and no construction can be carried out at the disputed site till judgement is delivered. Vedanti is an accused in the Babri Masjid demolition case and is being heard by a special court under the directions of Supreme Court.

He also said electoral victories in many states (in future) would also add to the BJP's strength in the Rajya Sabha and thereafter, it would be easy for the ruling coalition to go ahead with the construction of the Ram temple.

The former Lok Sabha MP also pointed out how the Shia Waqf Board had supported the Ram temple construction and claimed that "most people" in the Sunni community were also in favour of the same.

He also slammed those opposing the construction of the temple and said Samajwadi Party leader Mohd. Azam Khan and All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader Asaduddin Owaisi had links with terrorist organisations.

"I say so because such leaders always spew venom against the armed forces and the country," he said.

--IANS

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