Togadia asks RSS to clarify stand on Ram temple issue

Right-wing leader Pravin Togadia Wednesday asked the RSS to clarify its stand on the Ram temple issue and sought to know why the Modi government had failed to build the temple so far.

Referring to the Vishwa Hindu Parishad's 'Dharma Sabha' held in Ayodhya on Sunday, Togadia, who has now floated Antarrashtriya Hindu Parishad (AHP), alleged that it might be an attempt to help the BJP in the assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh.

"Where were they (VHP and RSS) during the last four and a half years of the BJP government at the Centre? Did they come out because of these Assembly polls or the upcoming Lok Sabha polls? Was that for the temple or just for the polls?" Togadia asked during a press conference here.

"RSS leaders held a meeting with BJP leaders in Lucknow a month back. Why didn't the RSS ask the BJP to build Ram temple at that time? Now you are protesting for the temple, but against whom? If you are against the Centre, then why did you sit alongside them?" he asked.

He added that although all the key decision makers- Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and President Ram Nath Kovind- were RSS 'swayamsevaks', Ram temple could not be built during the Modi rule so far.

"You (RSS) hold protests outside, but sit with them inside. Since the government has not promised to bring a law as demanded by you, it shows that the government is not ready. In this case, are you ready to intensify your protest against the government with the slogan 'no temple no vote'?"asked the former VHP leader.