Mohan Bhagwat pitches for Ram Temple in Ayodhya; says it will end tension between Hindus, Muslims

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, who was attending the three-day mega outreach conclave by the Hindutva outfit, Wednesday opened up on the controversial Ayodhya dispute, a decades-old socio-religious debate between Hindus and Muslims. Addressing the last day of the RSS's three-day lecture series, Bhagwat strongly pitched for construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya at "the earliest", as it will end rising tensions between Hindus and Muslims.

Describing Lord Ram as "Imam-e-Hind", Bhagwat said he may not a god for some people of the country, but he is an idol of Indian values for people from all sections of the society.

"... As a Sangh worker, head of the Sangh and as a part of Ram Janambhoomi Andolan, I want that a grand Ram temple should be constructed at the earliest at the birthplace (Ayodhya) of Lord Ram," he said.

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"It should have happened by now. The construction of a grand Ram temple will help in ending a major reason for tension between Hindus and Muslims, and if the temple is built in a harmonious way, then there will be no more pointing of fingers at Muslims," the RSS chief added.

This is a matter to "strengthen unity" and culture of the country, it is an issue of faith for crores of people of the country, Bhagwat underlined.

The Sangh chief also stressed on a dialogue over the construction of Ram temple but said the final decision is with Mandir Samiti which is spearheading the movement for construction of a temple.

The RSS, however, has put the onus on the government to decide whether to bring an ordinance on the construction of Ram temple.

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The Supreme Court is expected to pronounce its verdict on the Ram Janambhoomi issue before the current Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra demits office on October 2.

(With inputs from PTI)