VHP To Hold a Massive Public Rally On December 9 In Delhi To Demand Bill For Ram Temple Construction: LIVE UPDATES

Update at 3:40 PM: Spearheaded by VHP, RSS and other right-wing bodies, the call for a Ram Mandir is still on in Delhi a few days before the winter session and two days prior to the Assembly election results.

Alok Kumar VHP President said, "This is to press upon the MPs and all political parties that the government should bring in a Legislation for Ram Mandir. We do expect the government does something favour of the Ram Mandir. We will review the situation in Kumbhamela and then decide the future course of action. This campaign will continue." 

Mahesh Giri, BJP leader said, "There is anger in the hearts of Indians. If the court can open at 2 am for Yakub Memon, but for Ram Mandir the SC says its not on their list of priorities. This is the expression of that anger of seers and Hindus." 

Update at 12:40 PM: Devotees have even taken the 'Jai Shri Ram' chants on the streets of Delhi, where people draped in saffron walking together in groups between the traffic.  

Update at 12:10 PM: Devotees arrived in masses are chanting the name of Lord Ram. Seers and VHP leaders are addressing the public rally, strongly rooting to build the Ram Mandir. 

Update at 11:17 AM: Dharam Sansad event officially kicks off

Update at 11:07 AM: Thousands of people have gathered at the Ramlila Maidan to press for their demand for a Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, ahead of the Winter Session of Parliament. Hundreds of others are also on their way from various parts, in buses and on foot

The right-wing group Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) is organising a "dharam sansad", or a congregation of Hindu priests, at the famous Ramlila ground in Delhi on Sunday, that is December 9, demanding the early construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya. The rally comes just days before the winter session of Parliament begins.

Ahead of the rally, a traffic advisory has been issued by the Joint Commissioner of Delhi Police to avoid congestion.

READ:  VHP Observed Shaurya Diwas In Ayodhya On December 6 To Mark The 26th anniversary Of The Babri Masjid Demolition

The joint secretary of the VHP, Surendra Jain, claimed that the rally will change the mind of all those who feel the bill to expedite the construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya in the winter session of Parliament is not possible.

"The rally will pressurise all political parties to pass a bill for the construction of a Ram temple," Mr Jain said at a press conference in Delhi.

On being asked about BJP chief Amit Shah reportedly hinting that such a bill may not be possible in the upcoming winter session, Mr Jain said, "I will not comment on any specific individual".

"If, in any case, the bill does not come in this winter session, then the future course of action will be decided at the next dharam sansad, which will be held in Allahabad on the sidelines of the Mahakumbh on January 31 and February 1," Mr Jain said.

READ | Government May Not Stay, But Mandir Will Be Built: Uddhav Thackeray Presses For Quick Resolution Of The Ayodhya Issue

RSS general secretary Suresh Joshi, along with VHP's president Vishnu Sadashiv Kokje and its international working president Alok Kumar, will address the rally, Mr Jain said.

Mr Jain maintained that the VHP will seek support from all political parties, including the Congress, for the passage of a bill in the winter session."He (Rahul Gandhi) is not our enemy. No one is our enemy," the VHP leader said.

The organisation is carrying out a door-to-door campaign in Delhi and adjoining areas to make the rally a "grand success", he added.

(With inputs from PTI)