Ram Temple shall be built: Advani
THE HINDU, April 25, 1996
FAIZABAD

On the concluding day of his Suraj Yatra from Kanyakumari to Lucknow, the BJP president, Mr. L. K. Advani on Tuesday told the people of Ayodhya that a Ram temple would come up here befitting the glory of Ram. Earlier, he visited the make shift temple at the disputed site, his first since the day of the demolition of the Babri Masjid on December 6, 1992.

The Muslims of Ayodhya, Mr. Advani said, had come out on the streets of the holy city to welcome him. This revealed their whole-hearted support to the BJP. In fact, while Babar had demolished the then existing Ram temple, the Muslims of Ayodhya had not given due recognition to it.

The BJP chief was at pains to point out the difference between his yatra in 1990 and the present one. He said this yatra was political in nature and hence could not be compared in terms of response.

While the rulers must be blamed for all the ills of the country, the people too have a responsibility to elect a good Government. Before Independence, British rulers used to be held responsible for poverty and underdevelopment. But, in the past 50 years of Congress rule, save for a brief period, the country has not progressed and the Congress cannot seek another mandate to govern the country. He said under the Congress rule, politics had become a profession and there was all-pervading corruption.

He called upon the people to vote for the BJP and pave the way for a good government at the Centre. Probity in public life, cleansing of the political process, social harmony and swadeshi were the other issues touched upon by Mr. Advani.

Starting from Allahabad on Tuesday morning on the concluding day, Mr. Advani's rath made scheduled halts at Pratapgarh, Sultanpur, Faizabad, Barabanki and Lucknow. On the way, the BJP chief addressed a few roadside meetings.

Ayodhya, which was shorn of any display of poll banners or flags, wore a different look on Tuesday, in the context of Mr. Advani's visit. BJP flags fluttered on top of all the houses and shops. In Faizabad, right from the entry point to the meeting venue, a large number of people lined up along the road. The meeting at the historic Gulab Bari, was the biggest so far in several years.