Only temple at disputed site, says Kalyan Singh - Hindustan Times

Only temple at disputed site, says Kalyan Singh - Hindustan Times

Only temple at disputed site, says Kalyan Singh

HT Correspondent, Hindustan Times

Lucknow, September 08, 2010First Published: 19:08 IST(8/9/2010)

Last Updated: 19:15 IST(8/9/2010)

Former BJP leader Kalyan Singh on Tuesday reiterated his commitment to construction of a temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya. "Nothing but a Ram temple will be constructed at the disputed site in Ayodhya," he said thrice at a press conference in Lucknow. Singh claimed both historical and circumstantial evidence favoured construction of a Ram temple.

He asked the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre to respect the feelings of Hindus as was done for Muslims in the Shah Bano case.

He warned of a countrywide agitation to be led by sadhus and saints if the government put any hurdles in construction of the Ram temple.

Displaying the Archeological Survey of India's (ASI) report, Singh, an independent MP from Etah, said, on page No 272 of the Volume-1 of its report "Ayodhya: 2002-03: Excavations at the Disputed Site", the ASI had conclusively pointed out structures and other things found during the excavation at the disputed site were indicative of the remains, which were distinctive features associated with the temples of North India.

He said circumstantial evidences were also heavily loaded in favour of existence of the Ram temple at the site.

"The disputed site is known as Ram Janmabhoomi in government records and the local police station there is also named after Ram Janmabhoomi. Besides, namaz was never offered at the site. Entry of Muslims to that place had been restricted since 1949," he pointed out.

"I am, therefore, of the opinion that keeping in view sentiments of millions of Hindus, a grand Ram temple should be established at the garbh graha (sanctum sanctorum) at Ayodhya, he added.

Asked as to how he would contribute to a possible agitation, Singh said he would participate in any such movement in a big way as a citizen and not as a leader of any political party.

He also advised political parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party, to keep off the temple agitation if they really wanted construction of the temple at Ayodhya.