The Babri Mosque demolition in 1992 is one of the biggest blot in a democratic country. Since then, many political parties have blamed each for the destruction even though VHP and RSS are being the main culprits.
Bharatiya Janata Party has promised to built a Ram mandir [temple] after the demolition of 16th century mosque but could not do it as it was pending at the Allahabad court. So in 2004 and in 2009 election manifesto, BJP ignored the Ram mandir issue however LK Advani has time and again repeated that his aim is to construct Ram mandir at Ayodhya.
On 30 September 2010, Allahabad High Court ruled that the 2,400 square feet disputed land in Ayodhya will be divided into three parts: the site of the Ramlala idol to Lord Ram, Sunni Wakf Board gets one third and Nirmohi Akhara gets Sita Rasoi and Ram Chabutara. The Supreme Court of India in on 27 Jan 2013, has allowed status quo in the area governing the disputed site and there are already several petitions challenging the Allahabad High Court's decision.
Again after four years, the Ram mandir became a hot topic today as BJP released its Manifesto which included the construction of Ram mandir at Ayodhya. However, the BJP cited that it would explore the possibilities within the Constitution of India for the construction of Ram mandir.
"The Ram temple issue is culturally important to us. This has nothing to do with Hindutva or athva ," said senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi, clarifying that Hindutva was not part of their an election agenda. Though Shiv Sena, VHP and RSS have welcomed the decision of BJP, the rest of the political parties have criticized it for sparking the Ram mandir issue from nowhere.
Former Indian Prime Minsiter Atal Bihari Vajpayee has keen to keep this issue away from manifesto as it would hurt sentiments of muslims which would eventually make a drought of votes. But as Vajpayee has been out of politics, the BJP has rose the issue and thanks to Narendra Modi and RSS. “It is the end of AB Vajpayee era in BJP and this current party is a communal one and may pose danger to the democracy, said JD [U] leader. Congress Digvijay Singh has slammed BJP for making political gaining manifesto and added that BJP is absolutely a communal force with induction of Ram mandir issue.
Well, how far will this issue be the main focus in the elections and will it affect the chances of BJP in forms government at the national capital is all in the hands of common man who will be voting in the next 36 days. May 16th will be the day, where the country's decision will be out.
(AW: Vamshi)
