Ordinance on Ram temple not right: Union Minister Ramdas Athawale

MUMBAI: Amid growing clamour for an ordinance paving way for the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, the Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Ramdas Athawale, has said that it would not be right to bring an ordinance in this regard.

Republican Party of India (RPI) chief also maintained that the unity between Hindus and Muslims should not be disturbed at any cost, which, he feels, won't be good for the social fabric of the country.

''My party's stand is that unity between Hindus and Muslims shouldn't be disturbed. If a decision is taken for temple then it should be taken for Mosque as well. I think the demand for an ordinance that is being done is not right,'' Union Minister Ramdas Athawale said.

My party's stand is that unity between Hindus & Muslims shouldn't be disturbed. If decision is taken for Temple then decision should be taken for Mosque as well. I think demand for ordinance that is being done is not right: Union Minister Ramdas Athawale #AyodhyaRamMandir (30.10) pic.twitter.com/4zFkzOVBLn — ANI (@ANI) October 30, 2018

The minister also warned that the society will be divided if any decision is taken under pressure.

''Any decision in this regard should send a message of unity,” Athawale said while interacting with the mediapersons at the UT guest house.

Athawalemade these remarks days after Swami Chakrapani, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat and a delegation of saints associated with the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) asked the Central Government to bring an ordinance in this regard.

It is to be noted that the Supreme Court had on Monday adjourned the Ayodhya title suit till January 2019 to fix the date of hearing in the matter. 

The top court adjourned the matter which challenged the Allahabad High Court ruling of 2010, which had ordered division of the disputed land in Ayodhya into three parts for each of the parties -- the Sunni Waqf Board, the Nirmohi Akhara and Ram Lalla.

Meanwhile, shifting his focus on other issues, the RPI chief said, “Though there are some reservations on the part of the Shiv Sena in Maharashtra, it will ultimately come back. The RPI wants two Lok Sabha seats if the tie-up materialises. If it does not, we hope to get at least three to four seats.” 

Athawale also targeted the Congress party and said that it would hardly get 60-70 seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. 

Commenting on the current CBI infighting, Athawale added that the tussle had tarnished the image of the premier investigating the agency. 

“Had the government not sent the officers on leave, Rahul Gandhi would have accused the government of inaction. Now, the government has acted, still, the Congress is crying foul. It is the court to decide the matter now,” Athawale said. 

On the issue of reservation, the leader said, “There is already 50 per cent reservation. Economically weaker sections should be provided 25 per cent reservation, taking the total percentage to 75.” He said the reservation on the basis of caste should stay.