Singhal's death revives Ayodhya debate as #IndiaWantsRamMandir trends online

Hundreds of VHP and BJP activists have taken a vow to build a Ram temple on the disputed site.
Singhal's death revives Ayodhya debate as #IndiaWantsRamMandir trends online
Singhal's death revives Ayodhya debate as #IndiaWantsRamMandir trends online
Written by:

Social media was abuzz with activity on Sunday night as users trended #IndiaWantsRamMandir on both Twitter and Facebook.

This was in response to a call by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, which announced a large gathering in Ayodhya on December 6, on the anniversary of the Babri demolition, to rebuild the Ram temple.

The call was a result of the death of senior VHP leader and late president Ashok Singhal.

Hundreds of VHP and BJP activists are reported to have arrived in Ayodhya on Friday for immersing Singhal's ashes in the Saryu, before taking a vow to build a Ram temple on the disputed site.

"Let the dead rest if you want to pay an honest tribute to Singhal. We have seen them doing politics on Ramjanmabhoomi, but the politics of ashes is disgusting and dangerous. They are politicizing his urn to emotionally exploit Hindus," Hashim Ansari, the oldest surviving plaintiff in the Ramjanmabhoomi case which is currently in front of the Supreme Court, told The Telegraph.

The newspaper also reported that every December 6, the VHP and associated organisations observe a shaurya diwas(bravery day) while local Muslims organise a yaum-e-ghum (mourning day) and keep their shutters down.

The Babri Mosque in Ayodhya, a city in Uttar Pradesh was destroyed in 1992 when a political rally developed into a riot involving 150,000 people. More than 2,000 people were killed in ensuing riots in many major cities in India including Mumbai and Delhi.

Even the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has extended support to the meeting as its chief Mohan Bhagwat said "If we have to accomplish the resolve of Ashokji, we have to take a pledge today to make his resolve ours. We have to make serious attempts to accomplish the Ram temple and that will be a true tribute to him."

Meanwhile, Firstpost quotes VHP president Praveen Togadia as saying "The central government should pass an act in Parliament to construct a Ram temple in Ayodhya, It will be a fitting tribute to Ashok Singhal."

While the trend started off with people explaining the need for a temple at the disputed site, many people also used the trend to express their dissent.

Related Stories

No stories found.
The News Minute
www.thenewsminute.com