Cannot wait eternally for court judgement, govt should bring law: VHP
New Delhi/Kolkata, Oct 29: The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) Monday said Hindus cannot wait eternally for a court judgement on the Ayodhya land dispute case and asked the Narendra Modi government to bring a law for building a Ram temple.
The VHP said it will reach out to MPs of all parties, irrespective of political differences, and urge them to enact a law in Parliament to construct the temple.
A three-judge Supreme Court bench, headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, Monday said an "appropriate bench" will decide in January the future course of hearing on the appeals filed against the Allahabad High Court verdict in the Ayodhya land dispute case.
VHP working president Alok Kumar, speaking soon after the apex court moved the hearing, urged the government to bring a legislation in the Winter Session of Parliament.
"The apex court has once again adjourned the hearing. This fortifies VHP's stand that the solution to the Ram Janmabhoomi issue is not in eternally waiting for hearing of appeals pending for over seven years. We reiterate our request to the Union government to enact a law to clear the way for building a grand temple of Lord Ram at his birthplace in Ayodhya," Kumar told PTI in Delhi.
The head of the RSS affiliate said the Hindutva organisation will intensify its campaign for such a legislation if the government does not act.
The organisation has called a two-day 'Dharam Sansad', a meeting of seers, on January 31 and February 1 next year to discuss the Ram temple issue. This will be held on the sidelines of the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad.
VHP joint general secretary Surendra Jain told PTI over phone in Kolkata that the programme to reach out to MPs of various parties will begin from November after Diwali.
"We will reach out to all MPs of all political parties and urge them to support us on the issue of Ram Mandir. We will request them to support us and work towards enacting a law in Parliament irrespective of political differences," he said.
"Those who will support our cause, we will ask them to request their party leadership to support us. And the people would get to know those who won't support our cause," Jain said.
VHP West Bengal unit president Sachindranath Singha said the organisation would launch a mass awareness campaign on the issue and reach out to the people in the state.
"We will meet MPs of TMC, BJP, Congress and Left in Bengal and request them to support our cause. We hope they will support us. We will also organise dharma sabhas in each district of the state to create a mass opinion on this issue," Singha added.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
No hurdle to increase Almatti Dam height, says Deputy CM Shivakumar
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Thursday said there is no legal impediment to issuing a notification for the Upper Krishna River Phase-3 project, including raising the height of the Almatti dam, and indicated that the state would soon take a decision after consultations.
Speaking to reporters here after his recent Delhi visit, he also said an all-party meeting may be convened in the state even as there was broad political consensus on taking up irrigation issues with the Centre.
“There is no legal hurdle to issuing a notification for increasing the height of the Almatti dam, and there is no stay order either, as stated by legal experts. We will take our own decision soon. An all-party meeting may also be convened in the State,” Shivakumar, who holds the water resource portfolio, said.
He said 24 Members of Parliament from Karnataka attended a meeting held in Delhi, cutting across party lines except the Janata Dal (Secular), where various irrigation issues were discussed.
“We stayed in Delhi for two days and held a meeting of the State’s Members of Parliament. A total of 24 MPs attended. Except for the Janata Dal (Secular), MPs from the BJP, Congress, Independents and nominated members were present. I briefed them about the status of several irrigation projects in the State,” he said.
Shivakumar said several leaders offered suggestions and an all-party delegation would meet the Prime Minister and the Union Water Resource Minister C R Patil.
“Jagadish Shettar, Govind Karjol, Basavaraj Bommai and P C Mohan offered certain suggestions. Union ministers from Karnataka V Somanna and Pralhad Joshi said they could not attend and requested another meeting. It has been decided to take an all-party delegation to meet the Prime Minister and C R Patil. There is consensus on this,” he said.
Referring to legal consultations, he said, “In this matter, our legal advisors Mohan Katarki, retired judge Nagamohan Das and the Advocate General have given some useful inputs. We will take a decision soon.”
On urban development issues, he said the State has taken up concerns with the Centre regarding building norms. “We have brought to the notice of the Civil Aviation Minister the differences in premium FAR and building height regulations between our state and others. We will soon meet the Defence Minister as well. We have explained the issues faced by our state, and all have responded positively,” he said.
On the proposal for a second airport in Bengaluru, Shivakumar said it would be examined by the Cabinet.
He said state Minister M B Patil has submitted a proposal, and opinions have also been given. It needs to be placed before the Cabinet to discuss the pros and cons.
Issues like land acquisition, finances and other aspects must be examined. A study has been conducted and a report submitted, he added.
The Deputy CM said central aviation authorities have also provided a report on global standards regarding building height restrictions. The state government will take a decision after reviewing that report.
On the upcoming assembly by-elections in Bagalkote and Davangere, Shivakumar, who is also the Congress Karnataka unit president, said candidate selection would be decided by the party high command.
“Over the last two months, I have collected reports from booth level to all levels. Our leaders have visited and given their opinions. I have also spoken to some people. AICC secretaries will arrive in the next two to three days. The Chief Minister and I have discussed what needs to be done in the two constituencies. I cannot disclose it publicly. We will present our views in the interest of the party. ‘B’ forms will be distributed as per the decision of the high command,” he said.
Ruling out any preference for family members, he said, "Family is not important here. The party must win and that is what matters."
He noted that multiple stakeholders, including minorities, have claims that need to be balanced through discussions.
Shivakumar also told reporters that discussions on Assam elections were held with party leaders and another meeting would be conducted through video conference, following which a campaign schedule would be finalised.
Responding to demands for a Cabinet reshuffle, Shivakumar said there was nothing wrong in aspirations.
On whether it would be a reshuffle or power-sharing exercise, he said, “Time will decide.”
He also declined to comment on reports of a separate meeting with Priyanka Gandhi.
“I will not discuss that. I will not reveal whom I met or what I discussed. Time will decide,” he said.
On AICC General Secretary K C Venugopal’s statement that there was no vacancy for the Chief Minister’s post, Shivakumar said, “Yes, he has said there is no vacancy. He has also said that the party and MLAs will take a decision.”
