Temple issue is in SC, so no law/ordinance can be brought: UP

Uttar Pradesh minister Swami Prasad Maurya Sunday said a bill on the Ram Temple cannot be brought in Parliament at this juncture as the issue of Ram temple-Babri Masjid was before the Supreme Court.

"The temple issue is before the Supreme Court. No bill can be introduced in Parliament in the present situation...Until the honourable supreme court's decision comes, Parliament has no right to pass a law on the subject," Maruya said here.

The question of issuing an ordinance will arise only after a decision of the court, favourable or unfavourable, comes, said Maurya, a former BSP leader who is now with the BJP.

The RSS has been demanding that the Narendra Modi government take the legislative or ordinance route for construction of Ram temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya.

Maurya told reporters that though some organisations are demanding an ordinance on the issue, in would not be appropriate in a democracy.

The decision on issuing an ordinance can be taken only after the apex court gives its ruling, he said, adding that people should have patience and respect the Supreme Court.

Mauryawas speaking on the sidelines of a national conference of the Akhil Bharatiya Mali Mahasangh, an organisation representing the OBC Mali community.

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader and former Maharashtra deputy chief minister Chhagan Bhujbal was also present at the event.