Ram Temple an important issue but focus is on development: Home Minister

New Delhi: Home Minister Rajnath Singh todayacknowledged that building of Ram temple in Ayodhya is an important issue and the Government would welcome an out of court settlement but as such it was focused on development agenda.

 

At a press conference here to highlight NDA government's achievements, he also asserted that he is a member of RSS. "All issues are important. But we have to fix priorities. Now, we are working on the development agenda. As you are aware Ram temple is a sub judice issue. We have to wait for the court verdict. But the two communities may hold talks on the issue and can find a solution," Singh said.

 

He was replying to a question on whether the Modi government has put the Ram temple and Article 370 (special status to Jammu and Kashmir) on the back burner. The Home Minister, however, made it clear that currently no discussions were going on between the Hindus and Muslims to resolve the decades-old dispute.

 

"No talks as of now. If there is a middle path, nothing like that. But the matter is sub judice now," he said. 

When asked about BJP President Amit Shah's statement that the NDA government did not have the majority to act on issues like Article 370, which gives special status to Jammu and Kashmir, the Home Minister downplayed it saying "abhi abhi to sarkar bani hai (government has been just formed in the state)."

 

Replying to another question on the role of RSS in government, Singh avoided a direct reply but said he himself is an RSS 'swayamsevak' and believes in the organisation's ideology. 

"I am an RSS swayamsevak. I believe in RSS ideology as it promotes an India where all 72 sects of Islam exist. RSS promotes an Indian culture due to which a 2,000 year old church exists in Kerala.

 

"RSS promotes Indian culture by virtue of which Parsis from Iran are given utmost respect here. RSS also promotes an Indian culture where Jews are respected," he said. The Home Minister said that during the last one year of the government, good governance and development had finally staged a come back after 10 years.

 

"Is sarkar mein susashan aur vikas ki ghar wapsi hui hai (during last one year, good governance and development have staged a comeback)," he said.