SANGH PARIVAR GRAPPLES WITH KASHI-MATHURA ISSUES

Lucknow: The recent Gyanvapi-Mathura court cases have evoked memories of the rightwing school of thought’s famous slogan of the nineties-Ayodhya To Kewal Jhaanki Hai, Mathura Kashi Baaki Hai (Ayodhya is just the teaser, Mathura and Kashi are still left).

However, at present, the fact which sets the Ayodhya case apart from the Kashi-Mathura issues is that the former one was launched and pursued rather aggressively by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad whereas there is ambiguity within the Sangh Parivar about initiating a campaign for possession of the disputed sites in Varanasi and Mathura.

It is evident from the fact that the BJP, which became the dominant political force in the political landscape with the help of the Ayodhya issue, has not yet appeared openly willing to pursue the Kashi-Mathura issues. Rather saffron party seems to be adopting a very cautious and balanced approach on these issues. While refraining from speaking on the liberation of these shrines, BJP leaders have been emphasizing on the redevelopment of these places.

Earlier, BJP MP from Mathura Hema Malini has urged PM Modi that development should be done in Krishna Janmabhoomi Mathura on the lines of Ayodhya-Kashi.

During election campaign, stressing on massive development of shrines, CM Yogi asserted that the BJP has kept its word on building the Ram temple in Ayodhya and after Kashi, efforts are on to boost development works in Mathura too.

But apart from the balanced statements of CM and senior BJP leaders, Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya has apparently taken a very vocal approach on the issues of religious places.

Earlier he has said that construction of grand temples is going on in Ayodhya-Kashi, now preparations are on for Mathura. During the news of Shivling being found in the recent Gyanvapi survey, Keshav Maurya tweeted, “No matter how much you hide the truth, but one day it comes out because truth is Shiva. Baba ki Jai, Har Har Mahadev”.

Moreover, the RSS-affiliated Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has been in favor of not stepping into the issues of Gyanvapi and Mathura until the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya is completed However, VHP’s Union Minister and Dharmacharya Sampark Pramukh Ashok Tiwari has issued a statement that the meeting of the Kendriya Margdarshak Mandal is scheduled on June 11-12 in Haridwar. The core issue of Krishna Janmabhoomi and will also be included.