Author: Sachin Parashar
Publication: The Times of India
Date: October 6, 2010
URL: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Ayodhya-VHP-lays-claim-to-entire-67-acre-plot/articleshow/6694774.cms
While it initially hailed the Ayodhya verdict
as a Hindu victory which had paved the way for a Ram temple, the VHP has now
turned around by describing the same judgment as completely uncalled for as
none of the parties involved had asked for a division of the disputed land.
Stating that the party will settle for nothing
less than a grand temple, VHP leader Ashok Singhal on Tuesday told TOI that
allotment of land also to Nirmohi Akhara and Sunni Waqf Board was wrong and
the temple could come up only on the entire 67-acre plot of land.
"The court has allotted 3,500 square
feet of land each to all the parties involved. This is not enough to accommodate
even the garba griha of the grand temple which is proposed to be built at
the site. We are confident that the High Court ruling will be set aside by
the Supreme Court," Singhal said.
Despite fears being expressed in public that
talk about a grand temple will only vitiate the atmosphere, Singhal maintained
that Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas will not settle for a lesser structure.
After the initial euphoria over the judgment,
which went on to justify the birthplace of Lord Ram as exactly the place under
the central dome of the demolished Babri mosque, the VHP seems to be slowly
hardening its stand again.
Making it evident that the VHP was not on
the same page as Nirmohi Akhara on the issue of proposed temple, Singhal brushed
aside statements by Akhara leaders suggesting that they were ready for a respectable
structure for Lord Ram instead of a "bhavya mandir".
"There is no question of settling for
anything less than a grand temple. In any case, we believe Nirmohi Akhara
should not have been given any share in the disputed land. We want a temple
which is similar in size and grandeur to the Akshardham temple in Delhi which
is spread over 70 acres," Singhal said, adding that only the VHP-affiliated
Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas could build the temple at the spot as it had that authority
from Ram Lalla himself. The Nyas has announced that it will approach Supreme
Court against the verdict.
The VHP also did not sound hopeful about renewed
attempts to solve the issue out of court. "The Congress is talking about
an out-of-court settlement but we are not sure if all parties will agree,"
added Singhal.
