Indian PM Sounds Warning Note on Temple-Mosque Row
The Press Trust of India quoted the prime minister as saying in a newspaper article written during his New Year holiday in the southern Indian State of Kerala, that a status quo on the Babri Mosque would be strictly maintained.
"I wish to make it absolutely clear that the law will take its course should any organization attempt to disturb the status quo. The government will not remain a silent spectator and adopt delaying tactics, as unfortunately happened eight years ago," he wrote.
The demolition of the 16th century Babri Mosque by thousands of Hindu fanatics in the northern town of Ayodhya eight years ago sparked nationwide Hindu-Muslim riots in which 2,000 people were killed.
It was the worst religious violence since the 1947 partition of the Indian subcontinent into Hindu-dominated India and Muslim-majority Pakistan and severely dented New Delhi's secular credentials.
The controversy over plans to build a Hindu temple on the Babri ruins was revived in December when Prime Minister Vajpayee said the campaign was an expression of "national" sentiment and an "unfinished" task.
Vajpayee had to face a censure motion in Parliament over his remarks on the temple campaign despite his argument that his remarks had been taken out of context.
However, his ruling BJP Party managed to secure the support of its more secular coalition allies to easily win the day in the Lower House although it was rapped on the knuckles in the Upper House where the ruling alliance is in a minority.
However, the controversy over the issue has not died down as religious leaders have flayed the prime minister for disregarding the sentiments of minority communities.
Adding fuel to the fire was a recent statement by the powerful Vishwa Hindu Parishad (World Hindu Forum) which has said it will unveil plans to build a grand temple at the site during the major Hindu pilgrimage of Kumbh Mela starting next week.