"Mass Agitation" If Needed, Says RSS No. 2 On Ram Temple

A top Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader today warned that Hindus will not shy away from launching a 1992-like mass agitation if a Ram temple was not constructed at Ayodhya soon. "Avashyakta padi tho karenge (we will do, if needed)," RSS general secretary Bhaiyyaji Joshi told mediapersons after the conclusion of a three-day national executive body meeting of the organisation in Maharashtra's Thane district.

Mr Joshi also termed the Supreme Court's decision to post the temple-mosque case to January as an "insult" to Hindu sentiments. "Hindus across the country were hoping to get some good news before Diwali, given that the matter was listed for hearing on October 29. But the Supreme Court pushed the hearing, saying that its priorities are different. That felt like an insult," he said.

The temple has come to the forefront in the run-up to the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, over 25 years after the Babri Masjid was demolished in 1992.  

Echoing a sentiment expressed by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat a few weeks ago, Mr Joshi said the government should consider enacting a law or promulgate an ordinance to pave the way for the temple construction. "We are not putting pressure on the government only because we respect the law and the constitution," he added.

The right-wing leader also spoke out against the Sabarimala verdict in his address. "While we do not believe in discriminating against women, one should respect the rules of religious institutions as people's faith is supreme. Society doesn't function only on laws -- beliefs and faith matter too. Discussions should have been held with all the stakeholders concerned before the Sabrimala verdict was delivered," Mr Joshi asserted.

(With inputs from PTI)