LUCKNOW: The VHP sponsored Ram Jamabhoomi Nyas (trust) will start construction of Shri Ram Temple from the Shilanyas site on October 30 it happens to be the first anniversary of the Kar Sewa Monument and also of kar sewaks who were killed in police firing when attempting to storm into the disputed shrine complex. But this date is being kept a closely guarded secret for “certain strategic reasons”.

The date was not deliberately announced at the two day conclave at Rishikesh of the Marg Darshak Mandal which is composed of religious leaders, saints and top VHP leaders since the VHP wants to keep the commencement of temple construction low key affair because of legal and con situational complications still dogging its plan.

The legal decks have not been cleared nor are they likely to be so long as the dispute remains pending in the High Court though the VHP leaders claim that “practically all hurdles have been removed”. But temple construction is considered must for the BJP. This would be questioned on its comment in the ensuing by elections.

Onkar Bhave organizing secretary of the VHP for Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh and Secretary of the Ram Janambhoomi Nyas, virtually in charge of the temple construction, on his return from Rishikesh said that the process for temple construction was already going on. The land which had been acquired by the Nyas was going to be enclosed soon. Practically the entire area excepting the shrine area of three thousand two hundred square feet, which is disputed not in possession of the  Nyas. The state government has assured to shift the police station since it forms part of the proposed Temple Complex Area. Negotiations were going on with owners of the Sakshi Gopal Temple though only six Square foot area of this temple falls in the Ram Temple Complex area, according to Bhave.

Legal and constitutional remedies are still eluding the BJP government for acquiring the land and handing it over the Nyas. Earle it was proposed to achieve the objective through legislation. But now Bhave says the govt thinking is that it could be done by an administrative order. The Nyas had acquired the land and properties of three temples and thirteen shops but the transfer deeds had not been registered because the land was disputed and they were encroachments.

Controversy continues to be still raging over the Shilanyas Site (plot number 586) and officials avoid any comment or commitment. While the VHP on the basis of the Shilanyas permitted by the then Congress I govt maintains that it is not disputed. On the other hand a contempt petition by the Babri Masjid protagonists claiming that it was disputed is pending in the High Count The special bench of the High Court in an order an August 14, 1989 ordered “the par ties in dispute are directed to maintain the status quo over the property in dispute”.

On the eve of the Shitanayas the State Government moved an application on November 6, 1989, seeking clarification of the words “property in dispute” since the VHP was performing Shilanyas on plot no. 586 and also put up a flag over it.

The High Court in its order dated November 7, 1989, clarified the property in dispute includes all the 23 plots mentioned in the plan 12f 1951 which includes plot no 586 also.

 Since the site plan attached with the plaint has no number or scale it was interpreted that if a straight line is drawn the plot no 586 would be outside the sketch. This Continues to be interpreted both ways.

VARANASI: The construction of the controversial temple would start anytime within “80 days” of the “Vijay Dashmi” festival on Oct.18, Shrish Chandra Dixit, M.P. and former vice president of the Viswa Hindu Praishad (VHP) has said.

Dixit said the Rightwing Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) had nothing to do with the construction of the temple and it was the responsibility of the VHP to construct it.

Last year, the BJP had launched a massive campaign for the construction of the temple at as it claimed by Hindus as his birth place of their Rama. The site contains a 16th century mosque considered sacred by the Muslims. The campaign left a trail of blood and communal rioting in its wake.

The minority National From government in power at that time had fallen on the issue as it refused to allow the demolition of the mosque. The BIP withdrew support at a crucial juncture leading to its collapse and. the announcement of elections soon after when another minority govt collapsed.

The BJP is now in power in Uttar Pradesh.

Article extracted from this publication >> October 11, 1991