Ram temple donation theft debate shifts focus to Kashi, Mathura
LUCKNOW, Aug. 4 -- The BJP on Monday renewed its push for temples at the disputed Gyanvapi and Shahi Idgah sites even as the Samajwadi Party demanded an independent probe into the alleged Ram Temple donation theft in Ayodhya. Amid a stormy debate in the legislative council (Vidhan Parishad), deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya revived the party's "Ayodhya to bas jhanki hai, Kaashi-Mathura baaki hai" (Ayodhya is a preview, Kashi and Mathura are next in line) slogan and said it was ready for kar seva (voluntary service) at both sites.
Maurya, who is also the Leader of the House in the legislative council, invited the Samajwadi Party (SP) to join the kar seva. He also said he and his party were "proud" of the demolition of the disputed Babri structure in 1992.
Maurya made the remarks during the stormy opening day of the monsoon session after the SP moved an adjournment motion over the alleged theft from the donation box at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
SP member and Leader of the Opposition Lal Bihari Yadav alleged that the Ram Temple trust comprised RSS and BJP functionaries instead of saints and said this was where the mistake began. He demanded an independent probe into the alleged donation theft.
As Maurya rose to reply, SP members entered the well of the House, raising slogans and forcing the Chair to adjourn proceedings for 15 minutes.
When the House reassembled, the Opposition continued its protest while Maurya continued his speech amid the din. Proceedings were adjourned again for another 15 minutes before chairman Kunwar Manvendra Singh rejected the adjournment motion after the Leader of the House completed his reply.
Launching a sharp attack on the SP, Maurya alleged that despite the "atrocities" committed against Ram devotees during the then SP government, including police firing on unarmed kar sevaks, the Ram Temple in Ayodhya had become a reality.
He alleged that the SP had opposed the Ram Temple movement from the beginning and claimed none of its leaders had visited the temple after its construction or contributed towards it. htc...
To read the full article or to get the complete feed from this publication, please
Contact Us.