Rajya Sabha was adjourned briefly after Congress, SP and JD(U) members launched protests over the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The parties questioned the move terming it a “secret mandir move” ahead of the UP Assembly elections scheduled for early 2017.
Raising the issue during Zero Hour, KC Tyagi of the JD(U) said the circumstances for a communally-charged atmosphere are being created.
Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas
Naqvi said stone carving for construction of the temple has been going at a
site 1.5 km away from the disputed site since 1990.
The government urged that the court decision on the dispute should be accepted, he said.
But Opposition members were not satisfied by the statement and moved to the Well of the House shouting slogans like “UP mein dange ki saazish band karo (Stop conspiracy to incite communal violence).”
Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien said there was no confusion after Naqvi’s statement that the government and party will go by the court verdict.
But none heeded his pleas, forcing him to adjourn the
House for 10 minutes.
Leaders Speak out
Congress member Raj Babbar told Times Now:
Hand-in-glove move by SP-ruled UP govt and the BJP, once again dividing the society along religious lines.
Gaurav Bhatia, spokesperson of the Samajwadi Party said that it is nothing but a political stunt.
BJP kept quiet on the Ram Mandir issue. The matter is pending in the Supreme Court; thus it is expected of every public servant to not speak on this topic. Mayawati is trying to regain lost ground. But let me assure you, the state government is prepared to take on any communal elements.Gaurav Bhatia, Samajwadi Party Spokesperson
Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, the president of Ram Janam Bhumi Nyas emphasised that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not work on their behest and vice versa. “So if a temple has to be built, it will be built,” said Das.
One of the main petitioners Hashim Ansari said:
Modi has no hand in this. Till the time the case is with the Supreme Court, there should not be any political interference.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, at a high-level meeting on Tuesday took stock of the developments arising out of the transportation of stones and rocks for the Ram temple in Ayodhya.
He also asked the concerned departments to step up vigil and not allow communal elements disturb the peace and harmony in the state.
(With PTI inputs)
Read The Quint’s seven-part series decoding the events that led to the demolition of the disputed structure.
Ayodhya DeQoded, Part 1: Ram Lalla and a Contrived Miracle
Ayodhya DeQoded, Part 2: Did a Divine Monkey Unlock Babri Masjid?
Ayodhya DeQoded, Part 3: Ram Mandir First Politicised by Congress
Ayodhya DeQoded, Part 4: Political Desperation Led to Shilanyas
DeQoded Ayodhya,Part 5: Mandal’s Caste & Quota vs BJP’s Rath & Ram
Ayodhya DeQoded, Part 6: The Making of “Mullah Mulayam”
Ayodhya DeQoded, Part 7: Demolition of the Disputed Structure
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