Resolution on the issue of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi at National Executive Meeting, Raipur - July 18-20, 2003

The Bharatiya Janata Party adopted a resolution on Shri Ram Janmabhoomi for the first time at the meeting of its National Executive in Palampur (H.P.) on June 9-11, 1989. In this resolution, the BJP had endorsed the demand for handing over Shri Ram Janmabhoomi to Hindus for the construction of a Ram Temple there. We had also stated that the dispute at Ayodhya should be resolved through mutual dialogue between the two communities or, if this was not possible, through an enabling legislation. The BJP reiterated its commitment to construction of a Ram Temple at Ayodhya in its subsequent statements, resolutions and election manifestos.

The National Democratic Alliance was formed after the 1998 Parliamentary elections. In the National Agenda of Governance that the NDA adopted at the time, as also in its common manifesto for the 1999 Parliamentary elections, there was no reference to the issue of Ayodhya. Nevertheless, there was broad consensus on resolving this issue either through dialogue or a judicial verdict. On the basis of this consensus, the NDA Government supported sincere efforts by certain eminent individuals to reach a negotiated settlement through dialogue.

Even though the common agenda of the NDA makes no mention of a legislative initiative to resolve the Ayodhya issue, the BJP is of the view that this alternative too should be explored. This is what our Party had stated in its Palampur resolution. In the present Parliament, the legislative approach would be fruitful if our allies in the NDA as well as the parties in the Opposition, especially the Congress, extend their support to it.

The Bharatiya Janata Party remains committed to its stand that a magnificent Ram Temple should be constructed at Shri Ram Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya. The Party believes that dialogue between representatives of Hindu and Muslim communities, resulting in an amicable negotiated settlement, is the best option to achieve this goal. This would promote communal harmony and national integration. There is a rapidly growing public opinion, in both communities, that this issue should not remain unresolved any longer because of it having become a source of contention and tension. Hence, the dialogue process should continue in a spirit of goodwill and mutual understanding. We urge all sections of society to extend their cooperation to the dialogue process.