RSS talks temple,BJP plays safe

Our joy should find expression in a controlled,peaceful manner within the limits of law and the Constitution and uncalled for provocations must be avoided, Bhagwat said.

He asked everybody,including Muslims to forget all the ill will and hard feelings borne out of the conflicts of the past decades and welcome the verdict of the judiciary.

As compared to the RSS,the BJPs reaction appeared to be a nuanced one. While the Sangh fountainhead pitched for construction of a temple and asked everyone,including the Muslims,to lend support in this endeavour,the BJP did not go that far.

A section of the party has always been of the view that the HC verdict was transient since it could be challenged in the Supreme Court and the partys reading after a hour-long meeting at L K Advanis residence that it was just a step forward appeared to have stemmed from this argument.

At the meeting,senior leader Arun Jaitley is learnt to have briefed the party leadership about the judgment.

Advani,who led the mandir movement two decades ago,himself articulated the partys position. In so far as the judgment upholds the right of the Hindus to construct a temple at the Garbh-Grih,it is a significant step forward towards the construction of a grand temple at the birth place of Lord Rama, he read out from a prepared statement.

In a way,the verdict came as a relief to the BJP as it suits both the hardliners and those who are in favour of the BJP adopting a more centrist line. While the judgment satisfied those who are pitching for a temple,the others feel since the cause of temple has got the legal stamp,the party can now move on.

VHP follows RSS line

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad VHP on Thursday talked within the tone set by the RSS,welcoming the Ayodhya verdict and appealing for peace by all Indians and Hindus while asserting that a temple would be constructed at the site soon.

The site that was once called disputed has now been declared as the Ram Janmabhoomi. I appeal to all Indians and Hindus to welcome it through peace and harmony, Pravin Togadia said,soon after the RSS chief finished his media address.

While it welcomed the judgment,the VHP was non-committal on dividing the land around the site with the Sunni Central Waqf Board. It sidestepped queries regarding the decision to divide the land. After studying the judgment we will discuss it, he said.