The long-time pending issue of building Ram Temple on the disputed site of Babri Masjid has again erupted ahead of Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma’s visit to Ayodhya on Tuesday to inspect site for setting up Ramayana Museum, a move to attract pro-Hindutva elements in Uttar Pradesh.
However the other parties have started to criticize BJP over the move.
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati said, “Developing tourism in Ayodhya is good but, how come the Narendra Modi government thought of developing the Ramayana Sangrahalay (museum) and the state government of Ramleela theme park just before the Assembly polls.”
She added, “"Linking religion with politics and electoral gains by these governments is condemnable...had they really been so concerned about these issues, they would have thought about them long ago.”
RPN Singh, senior Congress leader and former Union Minister has accused Modi Government of invoking Ram issue, ahead of the assembly polls in the state early next year for deriving political mileage out of it.
He said, “We shouldn't be surprised. Every five years we see the same drama unfolding. Whenever polls are in the state, they talk of Ram, Ram temple, Ram sangrahalaya. They repeatedly raise these issues.”
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks of development but what about action....When there is election, he goes to Lucknow to participate in Dussehra festivities and chants 'Jai Shri Ram'. Did he say Jai Shri Ram during Dussehra events last year wherever he went?” he further added.
The proposed museum, for which the land has been provided by the Uttar Pradesh government, has resorted the demand for the construction of Ram Temple as BJP leaders Uma Bharti and Vinay Katiyar pitching for it.
By adding that no deadline can be set for the government on this issue, Kaityar said, “Every devotee of Ram wants the temple to be constructed soon. Until that happens we cannot live in peace. Be it through a bill in Parliament, through dialogue or a court verdict, the government has to find a solution. Of course, we don't have a majority in the Rajya Sabha, but a bill for construction of the temple can be brought in the Lok Sabha where we have a massive majority. The Ram temple was also a part of BJP's election manifesto.”
Uma Bharti said, “What is under challenge is the dispute over land between the Waqf Board and Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas, not that whether Ram was born there or not.”
However, Mahesh Sharma has denied that his visit to Ayodhya has anything to do with UP Polls. However, he said that he would be visiting the makeshift temple at the Ram Janmabhoomi -Babri Masjid complex.
The minister said, “My visit to Ayodhya has nothing to do with UP Assembly elections. I am visiting there as a Tourism Minister. It should not be linked to politics but is part of government's effort to improve tourism in Ayodhya and all over the country. The visit is part of developmental agenda.”
By Prajakt K.
