In SC, law officers expected to press for regular hearings

NEW DELHI: Responding to the demands of saffron groups has become urgent for BJP and the issue is also seen as a possible "game changer" in the political discourse.

The government is likely to point out that the SC has previously not been deterred from taking up contentious matters like triple talaq or entry of women to the Sabarimala shrine.

Sources admitted that the court's response to such a plea could not be anticipated.

In October, a bench led by CJI Ranjan Gogoi did not respond to pleas by the UP government and representatives of idol Ram Lalla, saying the court had its priorities and whether the hearing took place in January, March or April would be decided by an appropriate bench.

Then additional solicitor general (now SG) Tushar Mehta appeared for the UP government and C S Vaidyanathan for Ram Lalla.

It remains unclear whether any verdict will be available before the Lok Sabha elections, and in such a case, the options before the government, under pressure from Sangh groups, will be limited.

In fact, the closer the court hearings - in case they begin - approach the elections, the possibility of a ruling could become more remote.

In earlier hearings, one of the Muslim parties to the dispute had sought to ensure that a verdict was available only after the Lok Sabha elections.

Later, the Sunni Wakf Board said this was not its stand and lawyer and Congress leader Kapil Sibal said he did not represent the board.

The issue, always politically loaded, has assumed a salience and a "positive" verdict in favour of Hindu parties would be read as a boost for BJP ahead of elections.

The RSS, led by its chief Mohan Bhagwat, has of late reminded BJP that a Ram temple in Ayodhya is a key promise the party needs to fulfil in "national interest".

The dispute itself has defied resolution through talks despite several occasions when a solution appeared tantalisingly close. The 2010 ruling of the Allahabad HC upheld the legal sanctity of Ram Lalla idol installed at the disputed site but its decision to carve the 2.77 acre plot three ways between Nirmohi Akhara, Ram Lalla and Sunni Wakf Board left all parties dissatisfied.