RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat demands law for Ram temple construction in Ayodhya

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday said the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya was necessary from the "self-esteem point of view" and the government should clear the path through an appropriate and requisite law. 

In his annual Vijayadashmi address, the last before the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, he said the temple construction was necessary from the "self-esteem point of view" and it will also pave way for an atmosphere of goodwill and oneness.

"Sangh has been associated with the sentiments of crores of countrymen, in the efforts of constructing a magnificent Ram temple at the birthplace of Shree Ram who is the personification of the life energy of the nation and an icon of upholding Dharma," Bhagwat said at the Reshimbagh Ground in Nagpur.

Bhagwat spoke on various issues during his speech including on the Sabarimala temple row.

He added, "The place of Janmabhoomi is yet to be allocated for the construction of the temple although all kinds of evidence have affirmed that there was a temple at that place. There is an obvious game-plan of a few elements to stall the judgment by presenting various newer interventions in the judicial process."

The chief of the ruling BJP's ideological parent said that it is nobody's interest to test the patience of society without any reason.

"The construction of the temple is necessary from the self-esteem point of view, it will also pave the way for an atmosphere of goodwill and oneness in the country," he said.

"This matter of national interest is being obstructed by some fundamentalist elements and forces that play communal politics for selfish gains. Politics is delaying the construction of Ram Mandir," he said. "Despite such machinations, the decision regarding ownership of the land should be expedited, and the Government should clear the path for construction of the grand temple through appropriate and requisite law."

The Vijayadashami programme and the RSS chief's speech are among the most important events in the organisation's annual calendar. The RSS chief 's annual vijayadashami speech outlines the organisation's views on the present scenario and future agenda. 

It was on Vijayadashmi in 1925 that Keshav Baliram Hedgewar had set up the RSS.

This year, the RSS had invited Nobel Prize winner and social activist Kailash Satyarthi as chief guest. 

(With PTI inputs)