Prime Minister Narendra Modi clarified his government’s stand on the contentious Ram Mandir issue and said that the route to ordinance will be taken once the legal process gets over.
On Ram Mandir
"We have said in our BJP manifesto that a solution would be found to this issue under the ambit of the Constitution," the Prime Minister said about the Ram temple matter, when asked whether the Mandir issue has become a mere emotive prop for the BJP.
The Prime Minister also suggested that the judicial process was being slowed down by Congress lawyers who are creating obstacles in the Supreme Court.
The BJP, as articulated in its manifesto, wants to build a majestic Ram temple in Ayodhya . Recently, there has been a renewed pitch within the party as well as by its sister organisations in the Sangh Parivar for expediting the process of construction of the temple.
Parent organisation of Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP), Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and affiliated organisations have expressed unhappiness over the delay in resolving the matter and there are demands for promulgating an Ordinance, similar to the one issued on Triple Talaq, to facilitate the temple’s construction. The demand for Ordinance has been articulated even by BJP's ally the Shiv Sena.
PM Modi also pointed out that the matter is before the Supreme Court and possibly in the final stages.
"Let the judicial process be over. After the judicial process is over, whatever will be our responsibility as the government, we are ready to make all efforts," he added.
The matter is slated to be heard by the Supreme Court on 4 January.
Petitions have been filed in the Supreme Court for day-to-day hearing in the case.
On Demonetisation
On Urjit Patel’s Resignation as RBI Governor
Dispelling reports suggesting that former RBI Governor Urjit Patel was made to leave, PM Modi said, “No such question arises. I acknowledge that Patel did a good job as RBI Governor.”
On Congress’ Legacy
PM Modi said that Congress party has no right to criticise the BJP by saying that the government weakened such institutions in the country.
"Coming to judiciary, they openly said that we will decide judiciary on the basis of ideology and senior judges were shown the door and junior judges were promoted. And you are talking about institutions? In the same RBI, several times Governors were forced to leave before their term expired. You called Planning Commission people a bunch of jokers," the Prime Minister added.
On Surgical Strike, Uri Attack
PM Modi said the surgical strikes were planned as there was a "rage" building up within him as well as the Army after soldiers were burnt alive in the terror attack in Uri.
"Come back before sunrise, irrespective of the success or failure of the mission" was his message to the troops apparently.
“I gave clear orders that whether you get success or failure, don’t think about that but come back before sunrise. Don’t fall for the lure and prolong it [the operation].”PM Modi to ANI
Speaking about the cross-border attacks from Pakistan even after the surgical strike, PM Modi said:
On Setbacks in Recently Held Assembly Elections
“Loan Waiver Claim is a Lollipop”
Majority of farmers do not benefit from these "misleading" announcements of loan waivers as only a few of them take loans from banks, PM Modi said on Sunday in his interview.
These are political stunts. To say a lie and mislead, that is what I called lollipop. Like saying that we have waived all farm loans. The truth is that nothing like that has happened. They should not mislead. And particularly a responsible political party should never do it.PM Modi on announcement of farmers’ loan waiver by Congress
“Even One Case of Mob Lynching is Wrong”
Talking about incidents of mob lynching, insecurity among Muslim population and grave concern for minorities in India, PM Modi said, "Any such incident does not reflect well on a civilised society. No voice ever should support such incidents. This is totally wrong and totally condemnable.”
On actor Naseeruddin saying that minorities were feeling unsafe in the country, the Prime Minister said, "before elections, some people do see insecurity. Some people have an agenda."
PM Modi added, "Did mob lynching start after 2014? This is a result of ills within society. For improving this situation, we should all work collectively."
“Will Go Ahead With Rafale Deal Despite Allegations”
Congress is trying to throw muck on me even though the party has nothing to prove me wrong, PM Modi said, in response to questions on Rafale jet deal and reports of corruption for procuring the jets.
"Those people who want to weaken the Army are leveling allegations. Should I worry that they are making personal attacks on me, or whether my country's needs should be met? I decided that whatever abuses are hurled at me, whatever allegations are levelled against me, I will continue on the path of honesty and give primacy to the country's security,” the Prime Minister said.
“I won't leave my Army jawans merely to their fate. Whatever be their requirement, I will expedite the procurement processes. I will do it even if allegations are levelled against me," PM Modi said.
On Indo-Pak Relations
“India will make all efforts to mount pressure on Pakistan, but it will be huge mistake to believe that the country will mend its ways anytime soon,” PM Modi said, responding to a question on strained India-Pakistan ties after Prime Minister Imran Khan took charge.
Modi also did not answer in affirmative on accepting the invitation to attend SAARC summit by Pakistan PM Imran Khan, only saying, "We will cross the bridge when we reach there."
On Grand Alliance
Claiming that the coming together of all opposition parties to form a grand alliance will not cause a dent in his mass appeal as the ‘gathbandhan’ lacks vision, PM Modi said, “I am not aware that some gathbandhan is being made by KCR. In five years, is there something concrete Mahagathbandhan has said in one voice? They still speak in different voices.”
Who are these people? To save themselves, they are looking for support. ‘Hold each other’s hand, we will be saved’, this game is going on. Take any 10 pages of a newspaper, 10 leaders of alliance in different voices abuse Modi but there is no clarity on what they will do for the nation and why they will do it.PM Modi to ANI
‘2019 Will Be Janta Versus Gathbandhan’
PM Modi added that it is the Indian public who will decide the course of elections.
“The public will decide the agenda. Who is for the aspirations of the people, who is against the aspirations of the people. This is going to be the yardstick for the elections,” reported ANI quoting PM Modi.
The public knows that who sat in the states, looted the states and those who were in the Centre, looted at the Centre. The people will decide whether or not they should ally with these forces of corruption coming together.PM Modi to ANI
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)