Shiv Sena demands declaration of date for starting Ram Temple construction

Terming construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya as a "national work", Shiv Sena on Friday said those who have come to power with Lord Ram's blessings should end his exile and demanded that a date be declared for starting the temple construction.

"Building Lord Ram's temple is a national work," an editorial in Sena mouthpiece 'Saamana' said. "We want a Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. But our Lord Ram, like an outcast, has to live in a tent-like mandir. Those in power should be ashamed of this situation of Lord Ram's temple. Those who have come to power and are holding important posts with the blessings of Ram, should ensure that his exile period ends," the ruling alliance partner said. The Sena also said that the issue is consistently raked up prior to the Assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh, and stones for the construction of the temple start arriving at the site.

The next UP Assembly polls will be held in 2017.

"We are seeing the charged up atmosphere (during polls) for last many years and are once again seeing it. Once again stones have reached Ayodhya and workers have started carving the stones. The question that now arises is what happened to the stones that have been carved in the last 20-25 years?" the party sought to know.

"Construction of a temple is necessary but it is not necessary to keep carving the stones for it. Declare a date for starting the construction and stick to it," the Sena added.