With the Supreme Court resuming the final hearing in Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title suite, Vinay Katiyar, BJP MP and one of the spearheads of the Ram temple movement, expects a favourable verdict and is keen on beginning construction of the Ram temple. Excerpts from an interview:
SC has commenced fast-track hearing from August 11 and has posted the matter for Dec 5.
It’s good that the court has commenced the hearing. The solution seems near. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) had carried out the excavation on the site following court order. They got the remains of the temple. Allahabad High Court in its 2010 verdict had acknowledged the presence of the temple. So the distribution of the Janmabhoomi land among three parties is deception. I expect the SC to take all the facts and the comment of the Allahabad High Court before coming out with the final order. It should not amount to appeasement. The temple always existed. As soon as the verdict comes, we will commence construction. We will not settle for anything less. I hope that the apex court will do justice to Ram devotees.
Is SC’s suggestion for settlement through dialogue practical?
We were ready for it. Muslims don’t have a stake on the land as Babur was an invader who demolished the temple. We will never want a symbol of slavery on the land. But Muslim society will never agree for settlement through dialogue. They want to keep the imbroglio alive. The Muslim community should now stop teasing the majority in the name of Babri mosque.
What about Kashi and Mathura?
We will draw a strategy for Kashi and Mathura where the temples exist but yes we are being teased there also.
Will SC order impact 2019 LS polls?
It should not be seen with 2019 Lok Sabha elections. It will have no effect on polls.
What might be the outcome of the criminal conspiracy case against stalwarts that is being heard in CBI court?
We are ready for whatever verdict the court gives. We expect justice. Whatever is handed out to us by the court will anytime be lesser than those who laid their lives for the cause of the temple.
Stones are being brought for the Ram temple.
Stones are reaching the temple town. The previous Akhilesh government, under some pressure, had stopped it. But now With Yogi (Adityanath Yogi) as CM, the permission has been granted. The day court delivers the order; we will start building the temple. The pillars are ready and will be placed at the site.