Author:
Publication: The Free Press Journal
Date: December 27, 2000
FORMER BJP president, Kushabhau
Thakre on Tuesday said the Vishwa Hindu Parishad's agenda for construction
of Ram temple was not binding on BJP and nobody would be allowed to take
law in hand on Ayodhya issue, reports PTI.
"VHP's agenda is in no way binding
on us ... law will take its own course if somebody violates," Thakre told
newspersons here when they drew his attention to the reported deadline
of the VHP to raise the temple on the disputed site in Ayodhya.
"The Centre will not allow anyone
to take law in hand on Ayodhya issue and we will honour the judgement of
the apex court on the matter," he said.
Describing Ayodhya as a vital issue
for the country, he said being, the major coalition partner of NDA, BJP
would abide by the decision of its allies on any issue. He said through
the victory of NDA in Lok Sabha during the vote on censure motion moved
by the opposition on Ayodhya issue Vajpayee ministry had emerged more strong,
stable and vibrant and the Congress stood thoroughly exposed now.
Thakre termed as "hypothetical"
question as to whether the BJP would construct temple on the disputed site
in Ayodhya if it alone secured the majority to form the government at the
Centre, Thakre said Pakistan now stood isolated from the world on the Kashmir
issue due to right approach of the Vajpayee ministry towards finding a
negotiated solution to the vexed issue.
He said there was a good sign that
had emerged from the government's efforts as the people of Jammu and Kashmir
had started opposing terrorism and they wanted development. Thakre said
the coordinated and concerted efforts by the Centre had thoroughly exposed
Pakistan for cross-border terrorism in Kashmir. He justified the extension
of ceasefire announced by the Centre in Kashmir saying "it will further
pave the way for holding dialogue between India and Pakistan for settling
the Kashmir issue."
Thakre, however, said militants
would be firmly dealt with if they continued their misadventure. He also
justified the ban imposed by the Uttar Pradesh government on beauty contests
in the state but parried a question whether the Centre would impose similar
ban throughout the country.
