`Advani, Vajpayee could not do anything for Ram Mandir`

With time, BJP leaders have changed their stance on the issue of ‘Babri Demolition’, but Acharya Giriraj Kishore has remained firm on ‘Ram Temple’.

Once known to be the hard-line face of Hindutva, and a frontline ideological guru of ‘Ram Janmbhoomi Movement’, the Vice President of Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Shri Acharya Giriraj Kishore is not keeping well these days and is almost living a life in oblivion. But, what happened on Dec 06,1992, in Ayodhya can never be erased from public memory.

With time, senior BJP leaders have changed their stance on the issue of ‘Babri Demolition’, but one man who yet remains firm on ‘Ram Temple’ is Acharya Giriraj Kishore. Sitting lonely on a wheel-chair, the fiery and controversial VHP leader looked a pale shadow of his past self. Himanshu Shekhar of Zeenews.com caught up with the Acharya, who attended a book launch function organised by India Policy Foundation. Himanshu: How are you doing these days? Acharya Giriraj Kishore: I am not very fit but good enough to understand what is happening around. But it seems that when your health starts deserting you, then it is the time one must switch to ‘Vanaprastha.’ Himanshu: But Vanaprastha in ‘Indraprastha,’ I mean Delhi? Acharya Giriraj Kishore: It’s my limitation that I have to stay in Delhi as people don’t allow me to leave this place. They are my well wishers. I would love to go back to Morena which is my birth place and where I started my career as a teacher. But Bhagwan seems disinterested in my plans. Himanshu: Do you think that you and the VHP have lost the cause of ‘Ram Temple’? Do you regret what happened on Dec 06, 1992? Acharya Giriraj Kishore: I have categorically stated before and would reemphasize that bringing down Babri Masjid, was inevitable as the place is the birth place of Lord Ram. We are ready to give any space for the mosque as the land is of historical and religious importance for Hindus. Hindus would ensure that whatever amount or man power is required are made available for a mosque. VHP has not lost any cause, as construction of Ram Temple is not just an issue; it is a matter of faith for Hindus. Now if you look beyond the rhetoric, a temple at Ram’s birth place would make Ayodhya a world center. The economic status of Hindus and Muslims, or for that matter any religion, is bound to get a boost with that recognition. There is no question of any regret for bringing down the ‘Babri Mosque’. But yes, the riots which followed were regrettable. Himanshu: Have people like LK Advani and other BJP leaders changed their position on construction of Ram Temple? Acharya Giriraj Kishore: I am not the right person to answer the question. But you must ask those who rose to power and fame because of that movement. What have they done to ensure Hindu rights? Himanshu: You mean to say Advani changed his stance for political gains? Acharya Giriraj Kishore: Why just LK Advani? Even Vajpayee could not do anything for Lord Ram. Hindus are the most divided community these days. That makes the role of VHP all the more important. Himanshu: BJP looks to be a party lost in translation. Whether to back RSS fully, or to become moderate, the party has failed to live up to the expectations of its vote base. Who should be blamed? Acharya Giriraj Kishore: (Smiles)…It’s like blaming your mother for your existence. If you don’t get the job then you can’t blame your mother for allowing you to come. Himanshu: You once famously backed caste system. Has that view changed now? Acharya Giriraj Kishore: It’s good that you gave me a chance to clarify it. Hinduism has its own tradition and I am in favour of upholding that system. Every varna has its role. But I don’t see any reason why one human being should hate another human being. Himanshu: You also said that Muslims in India are a problem… Acharya Giriraj Kishore: Absolutely not. I allegedly made those comments but what I meant was those Muslims who are against the concept of ‘Ekal Bharat’ (Single India) are a problem.