Understanding why BJP denied Amit Shah’s promise of Ram Mandir before 2019

The BJP, in the run-up to 2014 General Elections, had promised the construction of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya and included it even in its election manifesto. On Friday, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Amit Shah allegedly made an announcement that construction of a grand Ram Temple will commence before the 2019 General Elections. As per the initial reports, Amit Shah while addressing a meeting in Hyderabad, told the party leaders that steps will be taken to remove the hurdles obstructing the construction of Ram Temple and the construction of temple will begin before the polls.

The Statement:

According to this Free Press Journal report, BJP National Executive member Perala Sekharjee quoted Amit Shah saying, “Considering the developments, I believe that construction of Ram temple will begin before the coming general elections.” 

The BJP is fully committed to the construction of Ram Temple before 2019. Last month, Subramanian Swamy had also suggested in his prophetic tweet. Few days ago, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also gave assurance that Ram Mandir would definitely be constructed in Ayodhya. He said, “No one should have any doubt about the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya. Ram Mandir will definitely be constructed here.”

The initial reactions:

Of course the BJP followers were ecstatic, Ram Mandir has been the dream of Hindus for a very long time and the declaration from the BJP party president was all the assurance they needed.

The U-Turn?

The Bharatiya Janata Party however denied media reports stating that Amit Shah said that the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya will start before 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

BJP was quick to issue a statement on its Twitter handle, the party said Shah “didn’t make any such statement” on Ram temple. It further added that the topic of Ram temple was not even a part of the agenda for the meeting in Hyderabad on Friday.

The reactions:

Needless to say that BJP followers were unhappy an they vented their anger on social media. Some of them even claimed that it is BJP that doesn’t want to construct Ram Temple because they will lose their biggest vote earner if a temple is actually constructed.

So was it really a U-Turn?

BJP has always maintained that it will ensure the construction of a grad Ram Temple in Ayodhya but with in the constitutional ambit. The second part of the line is what makes all the difference. BJP followers must understand that the matter is sub-judice and the court will soon come up with a verdict on it.

So was it wise of BJP to deny saying that Amit Shah promised the construction of a grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya before the elections?

Yes it was a very wise statement. BJP as a party or the Indian Government has limited say in matters that are sub-judice. So a political leader can make such a statement only under 2 conditions:

1.) He doesn’t care about the judiciary and is willing to go the Shah-Bano way
2.) The judiciary has been compromised and is now working as team B of the government which is extremely dangerous for a democracy

The statement was most probably planted by a Congress backed media house that wished to corner Shah. Shah’s acceptance or silence would have confirmed the above 2 points and denial meant facing the wrath of angry Hindu voters. Shah chose to trust his voters and BJP issued a statement denying the reports. But sadly, the ‘u-turn’ didn’t go down too well with many supporters of BJP!

https://twitter.com/Deepak_judiciry/status/1018176105822318592

So what lies ahead? Are we getting a Ram Mandir or not?

Hindus can be rest assured that construction of Mandir is going to commence before 2019 and the atmosphere is also very conducive for that. Beginning of Ram Mandir by October end this year is very much possible due to several factors. Congress has withdrawn Kapil Sibal from arguing against the case in Supreme Court. He has been asked to step down in the Ram Mandir case. The Sunni Waqf board has disowned him. Kapil Sibal had earlier said that the judgment on Ram Mandir should be postponed till 2019 general elections. On the other hand, the Sunni waqf board wants solution at the earliest. Both Shia and Sunni Waqf boards have softened their stand on Ram Mandir issue. UP Shia waqf board went to the extent of saying those Muslims who oppose the Ram Mandir must go to Pakistan and Bangladesh. Uttar Pradesh Shia Central Waqf Board submitted a proposal before the Supreme Court saying a temple can be constructed in Ram Janambhoomi, Ayodhya and the Mosque could be built in Ghantaghar, Lucknow.

Another contributing factor to the speedy resolution of Ram Mandr issue is that Dipak Misra is the Chief Justice of India. This is precisely why Congress launched many attacks against Dipak Misra including the hollow threats of impeachment. Ram Janambhoomi case bench will be led by him. All the conditions are favorable to the cause of Ram Mandir. In UP, Mahant Yogi Adityanath is in charge. He has dedicated his entire life to the cause of Ram Mandir. Last year, he celebrated diwali in Ayodhya at grand scale. CM Yogi Adityanath also proposed 100 meter tall statue of Bhagwan Ram in Ayodhya to promote tourism.

In April, Subramanian Swamy had also filed a petition seeking right to worship on the site of Ram Mandir. Ram Mandir can be the catalyst for the BJP in 2019 general elections. Given the above conditions, it is very likely that the BJP would leave no stone unturned for the beginning of the construction of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya before 2019. BJP’s rise in national politics started from the Ram Mandir movement. This issue is one of the reasons behind the BJP’s increase in tally from 2 seats in 1988 to being the single largest party of India. People are expecting the BJP to deliver its promise of construction of Ram Temple and the BJP working well towards delivering its most precious promise.

So rest assured, before the winters come. Ram Mandir is coming!