Ram Temple: RSS, VHP target 'those in power'

New Delhi: Senior RSS leader Suresh 'Bhaiyyaji' Joshi on Sunday made a veiled attack on the BJP for not fulfilling its promise of constructing a Ram Temple in Ayodhya and demanded that the Union government enact legislation, if need be, for it.

At a VHP rally at the Ramlila Maidan in Delhi, the RSS executive head said, "Those in power today had promised to construct a Ram Temple. They should listen to people and fulfil the demand of temple in Ayodhya. They are aware of the sentiments."

Without naming the BJP, Joshi added, "We are not begging for it. We are expressing our emotions. The country wants 'Ram Rajya'."

A country that develops a distrust for the judicial system cannot walk on the path of development. The Supreme Court should also delve into this factor and take public sentiments into account, Joshi said.

Thousands of people gathered at Ramlila Maidan for the Vishwa Hindu Parishad rally, which comes ahead of Parliament's winter session commencing on Tuesday.

The title suit of the Ayodhya land dispute case is pending before the Supreme Court. In January, the court is expected to announce a date for the beginning of the hearing.

But as the dispute has remained unresolved for more than 25 years, right-wing groups are demanding that the Union government sidestep the courts and go ahead with the temple building.

VHP president Vishnu Sadashiv Kokje said public sentiments should be respected as "in democracy, the public should be supreme not the court".

"It's a misconception that we want to construct a temple in place of a mosque. The mosque was built there after demolishing the temple. Also, terming the demand for a Ram temple an election issue is wrong. " Kokje said.

The traffic police had issued an advisory detailing diversions because of the rally. It said no traffic would be allowed on Ranjeet Singh Flyover (from Guru Nanak Chowk to Barakhambha Road), JLN Marg (from Rajghat to Delhi Gate), Chaman Lal Marg near VIP gate.

Elaborate security arrangements had been made at Ramlila Maidan, and snipers have been deployed on high-rises.