Muslims in favour of Ram temple: RSS leader

Many Muslims “desire” to take the initiative to facilitate the construction of a Ram temple at Ayodhya and there may be a “mass movement” from within the community for the same in 2016, claims senior RSS leader Indresh Kumar.

Mr. Kumar, who is the mentor of RSS’ Muslim outreach wing Muslim Rashtriya Manch, talked to The Hindu telephonically after releasing a book Sri Ram Mandir here. “I am in touch with many Muslims who say they will take the initiative to build a Ram temple at Ayodhya. They may begin a mass movement for this in 2016,” he said. Mr. Kumar cited the example of Hasan Khan Mewati, who, he said, fought against Mughal king Babur alongside Rajput king Rana Sanga, saying he was the role model Indian Muslims wanted to follow. Saffron groups have been gradually raising the pitch for a Ram temple. Parties such as the BSP and the Congress see this as a bid to polarise Uttar Pradesh that goes to the polls in 2017, though the Ayodhya title suit is pending before the Supreme Court.

‘No possibility of mosque’

Mohammad Afzal, who heads the Muslim Rashtriya Manch, said his organisation wanted to provide a platform to Hindus and Muslims to amicably settle the dispute. However, Mr. Afzal has a definition of ‘settlement’ that eliminates the possibility of a mosque at the site. “No Muslim organisation has been able to prove ownership rights over the land at Ayodhya. There can either be a Ram temple or status quo,” Mr. Afzal said.