VHP rebuffs Gadkari over Ram Temple issue

In a virtual rebuff to the Bharatiya Janata Party, which on Thursday harped on its commitment to construct a Ram temple at Ayodhya, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad said it was a religious issue and political leaders should stop talking about it 'to seek more votes'.

"We totally disagree with it. The issue is not political and therefore they should not speak. It is a religious issue. Building a temple or mosque should not be decided by the BJP or the Congress. It should be decided by religious leaders," said VHP International President Ashok Singhal.

Singhal's reaction came when asked about BJP president Nitin Gadkari's speech at the party's national council meeting in Indore, where he reaffirmed its commitment to build a 'grand' Ram temple in Ayodhya. Political parties should not interfere and the decision on constructing a temple or mosque should be left to religious leaders, Singhal said.

"Political leaders should not speak (about the temple issue) to seek more votes," said the leader of the VHP, spearheading the Ram Mandir movement. Singhal also opposed Shiv Sena's 'Mumbai for Marathis' campaign.

"The whole of Bharat belongs to Bharatiyas. There are people who are trying to divide our society. It is unconstitutional," he said, adding that he would discuss the issue with Sena supremo Bal Thackeray.