VHP plans nationwide programme to drum up support for a bill on Ram temple

Press Trust of India  |  New Delhi 

The VHP will hold public meetings in all constituencies and ask MPs to support the passage of a bill in Parliament for the construction of a in Ayodhya, as its working Kumar expressed confidence Tuesday that the Centre will bring a legislation in the winter session.

The (VHP), an RSS affiliate, is seeking to build a tempo in favour of the temple's construction with a series of nationwide programmes which, he hoped, will generate enough pressure in the present atmosphere on parties like the to not oppose the bill.

Referring to the Congress's "janeu dhari" (one who wears sacred thread) Rahul Gnadhi's temple visits, he wondered how his party will oppose the construction of

Kumar told that his organisation was confident that the will bring such a bill in Parliament's winter session, saying it is a dispensation of 'Ram bhakt' (devotees of Ram).

With elections less than six months away, political observers believe that the RSS -- whose chief Mohan Bhagwat's demand for a law has generated a storm of support, including from many Union ministers -- and the BJP will use the key Hindutva plank to build a narrative in its favour.

Though neither the government nor the BJP has made their stand clear on the demand of Hindutva groups for a law to pave the way for the temple's construction, ministers and other party leaders have been speaking in its favour.

The momentum generated by the debate will suit it politically, the BJP believes, more so as Hindutva credentials of Modi as well as its are seen to be impeccable.

This is a government of 'Ram bhakt' (devotees of Ram) and its members have been their companions in the struggle to build the temple, Kumar said, adding that they had no doubt about its intention.

"We are looking forward to the government bringing a bill in the winter session," he said.

VHP delegations led by saints will also meet governors of states to urge them to convey to the Centre about the "popular" wish to construct the temple.

The organisation will hold a public meeting in all 543 constituencies by December 15, he said, and will meet the respective

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Tue, November 06 2018. 18:40 IST