Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik sparked a fresh row by saying the Ram temple should be built in Ayodhya at the site of razed Babri Masjid as per the “wishes of Indian citizens” amid a row over alleged religious conversions in the state.
“Ram Mandir should be built as soon as possible. That is the wish of the Indian citizens and the wish should be fulfilled,” he said during the convocation programme of Awadh University at Faizabad, where he was the chief guest.
Last month, on a visit to Ayodhya to take part in an event organised by a VHP leader, Naik had said the vexed issue would be resolved within five years as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is working out a plan to sort it out peacefully.
A former Bharatiya Janata Party MP and a Union minister, Naik was named the UP governor in July this year after the NDA government came to power at the Centre.
Reacting to the remarks by Naik, Hashim Ansari, the oldest litigant in the Babri Masjid case, said: “I have stated earlier that we are ready to come to the negotiation table but before we start talks, the Union government must ensure that the accused in the Babri Masjid demolition case must be punished.”
Ansari said the trial against them has been lingering for the last 22 years and not a single person has been punished.
His comment adds to an ongoing controversy over religious conversions in Agra, allegedly by groups linked to the BJP’s ideological mentor Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, which has seen an angry opposition stalling Parliament for the past few days.
The governor’s comment invited strong reactions from opposition parties.
Naresh Agarwal, a leader of Uttar Pradesh’s ruling Samajwadi Party, said even if it is Naik’s personal opinion, he must avoid such comments as he is no longer a BJP leader but a governor now.
Another SP leader Abu Azmi too said: “Ram Naik is in a constitutional post. He should not make such statements. Every day BJP leaders are making communal comments.”
Defending the governor, the BJP and the Shiv Sena said that there is nothing wrong in his remark.
“Is it wrong to take Ram’s name? Is it wrong to construct Ram’s temple? Is the belief of millions in Lord Ram is wrong? Opposition should raise valid issues before the public and not spread propaganda,” said BJP spokesperson Sidharth Nath Singh.
BJP leader Sakshi Maharaj too said there is nothing wrong if Naik is supporting the cause of the temple.
“There is nothing wrong if Ram Naik has become the supporter of Ram. There is no power in the world that can stop the construction of the temple,” he said. Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Raut echoed his feelings and said Naik has “Ram” in his name so he will be naturally active in the Ram Mandir movement.
“What is wrong in what Ram Naik said? He maybe the governor today, but he has been active in Ram Mandir movement from the beginning,” Raut added.