The arrival of two trucks of stones in Ayodhya for the construction of the Ram temple is not just a political statement by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), but also a show of intent.
Six months ago, when the torchbearers of the Ram temple movement announced the revival of the campaign, it was uncertain as to what extent they would go to alter the status quo imposed by the judiciary.
The BJP government at the Centre might have pushed the construction of the Ram temple – one of its three core issues apart from challenging the special status for Jammu and Kashmir and bringing a uniform civil code in the country – on the back-burner, but the Sangh Parivar is clearly in no mood to relent.
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has made no secret of his feelings about the Ram temple issue, increasing pressure on the BJP
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s recent announcement in Kolkata expressing hope that a Ram temple would be constructed in his lifetime displayed the underlining determination for the cause close to the heart of ‘Sangh Parivar’.
It remains to be seen how far the BJP can maintain distance from the issue, particularly when allies like the Shiv Sena have supported the VHP move.
The Narendra Modi government has held that the sole agenda for the Centre at the moment is development. Any deviation from that path is bound to vitiate the political atmosphere, which is already fraught with unprecedented hostilities.
All stakeholders must wait for the Supreme Court to take a call on the issue and should not attempt to alter the status quo.
By all means, a final verdict in the case is some years away as the apex court has to go through reams of documents.
The Allahabad High Court’s order in 2010 of distributing 2.7 acres of disputed land among Ram Lalla, represented by Hindu Mahasabha, Nirmohi Akhara and the Sunni Waqf Board was stayed by the Supreme Court. Not much movement has taken place since then.
The restlessness being shown by the Sangh Parivar outfits should be restrained before it assumes larger proportions and disturbs peace and amity in the country.