'Will behead traitors who oppose Ram temple'

A local BJP MLA has stoked a controversy with his remarks that the heads of "traitors" opposing construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya will be chopped off.

T Raja Singh, who represents Goshamahal constituency in Hyderabad, is heard saying this in a video where he is addressing a gathering as part of Ram Navami celebrations held here on April 5.

Asked about his remarks, Singh today said he can give his life for the sake of Ram temple and "even take the life of traitors who oppose the building of Ram temple".

"We will not allow the people who believe in destroying this nation to stay in this country. It is our pledge to build a Ram temple in Ayodhya and we will abide by it. We can give our life for Ram temple and even take the life of traitors who oppose Ram temple in Ayodhya," he said.

The Congress hit out at the BJP, saying its "mask" has fallen off and alleged that there "is intimidation of the minorities" under its rule.

The BJP, however, sought to douse the controversy asserting that the Ram temple can be built only with consensus. Party leader Shaina NC said that the Prime Minister has made it clear that there is no space in a free and elected democratic society for people who choose to be the so-called moral custodians of society.

She indicated that if needed, action can be taken against the MLA. "We are a disciplined cadre, and if we feel there is need to pull up somebody, I am sure the person concerned will have to bear the brunt," she said.

However, the Congress was unimpressed as its spokesperson Sanjay Jha said that the BJP cannot wash off its hands by calling those making inflammatory statements as fringe elements. "The truth is that there is no fringe anymore. These are mainstream elected BJP leaders either in parliament or the assembly.... This is a political strategy. This is a manifestation of the most ugliest form of politics," he said.