'Hindus feeling insulted', RSS urges SC to expedite Ayodhya hearings

The Supreme Court on Monday delayed the hearings in the Ayodhya land dispute case by listing the first week of January for the hearing dates to be decided. The court said an appropriate bench would start hearing the matters related to the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute from January next year. Sangh-affiliated groups have demanded an ordinance.

RSS executive head Suresh Bhaiyyaji Joshi

Mumbai: RSS executive head Suresh Bhaiyyaji Joshi on Friday urged the Supreme Court to deliver its verdict at the earliest on the Ram mandir issue ‘keeping Hindu sentiments in mind’. Joshi said the issue has been pending in the top court for over 7 years and needs to give it priority as it is a matter of faith to crores of Hindus. He said the delay in the resolution of the matter is surprising, concerning and insulting to Hindu sentiments. The RSS leader believed there are 'some legal hurdles in temple construction' and said if required the group will launch an agitation. Joshi was addressing a press conference after the conclusion of three-day working committee meeting of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) at Keshav Srushti in Bhayander near Mumbai. In the morning, BJP president Amit Shah called on Mohan Bhagwat at the conclave.  An RSS office-bearer said "the meeting was related to the party (BJP), but not the RSS conclave". Clarifying that the RSS doesn’t interfere in government affairs, Joshi said a decision on bringing an ordinance for early construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya purely lies in the hands of the ruling party. Earlier, the RSS demanded that the government should enact a law to acquire the land for the construction, just like Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel had rebuilt the Somnath temple in Gujarat. "The Ram temple is a matter of self-respect and pride. Like Sardar Patel had rebuilt the Somnath temple...the government should acquire the land for the construction of the Ram Temple and hand it over for its construction. The government should enact a law for this," RSS joint general secretary Manmohan Vaidya said, replying to a question. The Supreme Court on Monday delayed the hearings in the Ayodhya land dispute case by listing the first week of January for the hearing dates to be decided. The court said an appropriate bench would start hearing the matters related to the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute from January next year. Sangh-affiliated groups have demanded an ordinance. The Congress called for “restraint” and said all parties should abide by the court.