No forcible decision on Ram temple: Khanna

Defending BJP's decision to include the Ram temple issue in its manifesto, party leader Vinod Khanna today asserted that no "forcible" step will be taken for construction of the shrine in Ayodhya.
"We want to build Ram temple according to Constitution. We are not going to do it forcibly," the actor-turned politician told reporters here today.
Khanna, who is a two-time MP from Gurdaspur, was campaigning in favour of BJP candidate for Udhampur Parliamentary Constituency Jitender Singh.
He was replying to questions about allegations that BJP had included Ram Temple issue in its manifesto to polarise voters.
He also rejected suggestions that there was fear among Muslims over rakiNg up of Ram temple issue. "Absolutely not. It (Ram temple) is not something that BJP wants. It is what the entire nation wants. Even Muslims also felt in the meeting held with them several times that the court should decide (the temple issue)," he said.

Khanna slammed Congress Chief Sonia Gandhi for meeting Shahi Imam of Jama Mashid in Delhi, saying it was attempt to "force the Muslims to vote for Congress. You cannot do this. It is individual decision of each of Muslim".

"First of all, going to a Muslim cleric, it is wrong thing. She (Sonia) has already divided the country. I do not think it was right thing to do."
He also defended Amit Shah's "revenge" remarks, saying it should not be taken literally. "It is a way of putting across to the people in a way they understand. It qualifies for political defeat. It is not a violation of law," he said.

He claimed that Muslims were also supporting Modi as they want the country "to move ahead. They do not want their children to live a life of poverty and backwardness. They want change. We want to appeal to all to vote for change".
Hitting out at Congress for raking up 2002 Gujrat riots issue, he said "see how much Congress has damaged and looted the country through corruption, nepotism. People need to wake up and end this.
"You see who many riots the country has witnessed under Congress rule. Hundreds of riots have taken place. They have forgotten those incidents, but they do not allow the people to forget the riots.

"They have no other issue against Modi. When you talk about corruption or development, they talk about 2002. When you talk about security, they talk about 2002. When you talk about price rise, inflation, terrorism , they talk about 2002.
"Which human being does not feel about such incidents, but they are shameless people who continue to rake up the issue to divide the country.