Hindu groups demand swift ordinance for Ram temple

PONDA: Echoing the demand for a Ram temple in Ayodhya, representatives of various Hindu groups Sunday called for an ordinance as soon as possible for the construction of Ram Mandir, during the ‘Dharma Sabha’ organised by Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) in Ponda.

“Ram Mandir is not a fight for just a temple in Ayodhya. It is a fight for protecting the Hindu culture in India,” said Mumbai-based advocate Deepak Raoji Gaikwad of VHP. “Ram temple in Ayodhya will increase the power of Hindus worldwide. There is no need to wait for the court order, as it is not a priority issue for them and the matter is pending in courts for decades now. Considering this, the government should go in for an ordinance for the construction of the Ram Mandir,” he said while addressing the gathering as the main speaker.

The public meeting, organised to support the demand for Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, was attended by around 2,000 people from across the state.

Interestingly, prominent leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party including Speaker Pramod Sawant, BJP Goa unit chief Vinay Tendulkar, MP Narendra Sawaikar, former MLAs Subhash Shirodkar, Rajendra Arlekar, Subhash Phaldessai, Prakash Velip and others were

present at the public meeting.

Stating that the government should not test the patience of Hindus and come clear on the Ram temple issue, Gaikwad threatened that a delay could result in violence. He also praised the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and added that if Modi retains his prime ministership, he will be able to help the majority community.

Apart from Gaikwad, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Goa chief Nana Behare, VHP president Ashok Chowgule, Banjara Samaj chief Swami Sewalal Maharaj, P Hansraj Maharaj of Padmanabh Sampradaya Bhartia, Mukandraj Maharaj of Jeevanmukt Math Siolim and others were present on the dais as guests for the public meeting.

Swami Sewalal Maharaj said that Ram temple in Ayodhya is very much possible by 2019-20 under leadership of Modi and asked the Hindus to unite for it.

People chanted many slogans including ‘Ram Mandir wahi banayenge and Jai Shree Ram’. Tight security arrangements were made with heavy police force deployed around the venue at the Ponda old bus stand.