By Afroz Alam Sahil, TwoCircles.net
Delhi: Senior Congress leader and AICC General Secretary Digvijay Singh on Monday shared dais with RSS functionary Indresh Kumar, VHP spokesman Vijay Shankar Tiwari, All India Hindu Mahasabha President Chandar Prakash Kaushik and other right-wing leaders at a function organised at the Indian Women’s Press Corps in Delhi to launch a book: ‘Sri Ram Mandir : Archaeology, Architecture and Politics’ written by Anuradha Dutt.
However Digvijay Singh didn’t refrain from making his position clear, although he was interrupted a few times by members of the audience.
Singh said that while he is a practicing Hindu, he also believes that India, ‘like any other multi-ethnic’ country in the world, has ‘immense’ problems to deal with such as unemployment and poverty and suggested that the country should wait for the Supreme Court verdict on the issue.
According to Digvijay Singh, former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao was ‘very keen’ to see the issue resolved and had tried to ‘de-politicise’ the same.
‘This issue can only be resolved by amicable discussion, rather than creating a conflict. we are fighting against poverty, unemployment and we have now a battle in Pathankot today… I would urge all the right-thinking people to await the SC decision,’ he said.
He said, ‘I personally feel that this issue of Ram Janmabhumi, it has been debated, discussed so many times. And now it is pending in the Supreme Court. Let the SC look into all facts, hear all parties and then take the decision. But unfortunately, some people will again like to politicise the issue’.
Senior RSS leader and Rashtriya Muslim Manch Patron Indresh Kumar said ‘I pledge the temple will be built. It will happen, no one can stop. But if you ask me the date… one never knows the date of his death’.
He also said, “I firmly believe that lakhs of Muslims, along with Christians will come on the streets to support the claim of a temple in Ayodhya. Leaders cutting across various parties will also come in support; I have nearly spoken to leaders from all political parties in this regard.”
The other BJP functionaries present in the panel too supported the claim for Ram Mandir.
Since the BJP Government has come to power, right-wing Hindutva forces who were responsible for the demolition of Babri Mosque, are once again pitching for the mobilisation to construct Ram Temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya.