VHP to collect stones for construction of Ram temple: Ashok Singhal

Asserting its resolve to build the Ram temple, the VHP on Tuesday said it will launch a nationwide drive to collect stones for construction of the temple here and asked the Muslim community not to pose any hindrance.

"About 2.25 lakhs qubic fits of stones are required for the construction of Ram temple and about 1.25 lakh qubic fits of stones are ready at VHP's headquarter in Ayodhya. The rest one lakh qubic fits stones would be collected nationwide from Hindu devotees," Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Ashok Singhal said.

Singhal said that within one year these stones would be collected and gathered in Ayodhya. Stone carving for the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya would speed up so that within a year all stones must be ready for the construction, Singhal said addressing a press conference here after the executive body meeting of Ram Janam Bhumi Nayas trust which is the VHP's supreme body empowered to take decisions on Ram temple construction issue.

"The Muslim community should leave their claim over Ayodhya, Mathura and Kashi, if the community wants to live in peace," the VHP leader said.