Union law min to move cabinet note to constitute Ayodhya temple trust

Union Minister of Law Affairs Ravi Shankar Prasad is likely to move a cabinet note shortly to constitute the Ayodhya temple trust as directed by the Supreme Court. The Apex court in its judgement on the Ayodhya land dispute issue had ordered that the Ayodhya temple trust should be constituted within three months, but the task may be completed by the third week of November.

The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has designated the Union Culture Ministry as the nodal ministry for the constitution of the board of the temple trust. But till such time, the Union Law Ministry will identify legal areas where the executive and political authority can prevail.

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Since the Parliament session is beginning on November 18, the Union Home and Law Ministry are keen to complete the formation of the board of trustees before that.

A comprehensive study is being conducted to examine how similar trusts were formed for the Somnath Temple in Gujarat, the Vaishnodevi Temple Trust in Jammu and Kashmir and the Jagannath Temple in Odisha. The terms and conditions and rules and regulations to monitor the land and its site measurements among other things for the construction of a temple are being worked out.

There, however, are speculations over who would head the Ayodhya trust. No one knows if it will be helmed by the prime minister or the Union home minister. Similarly discussions are underway whether the number of trustees should be seven or nine.  The political authorities also need to take a call on how many members need to be included from Uttar Pradesh. Can eminent public figures who argued the case of Ram Lalla, one of the primary petitioners, in the Supreme Court such as K Parasaran or CS Vaidyanathan be included in the board of trustees is another question that is being discussed.

Should there be representatives from the main litigants? There is a view in Delhi’s political circles that the retiring Chief Justice Ranjan Gagoi should be made a trustee as he heard the Ayodhya case for 40 days and could give valuable legal advice.

Internal security

Weekly internal security study has already begun with the ministers and officials having a meeting on Monday mornings. The Union home secretary continues to be in touch with senior officials of IB and other central police organisations over the law and order situation in the country. The home secretary has also spoken to chief secretaries of several states on video calls. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on November 10 held a meeting with religious heads as per the directions of the Prime Minister to review the post Ayodhya verdict atmosphere.

Also read: Hindu, Muslim religious leaders resolve to honour SC’s Ayodhya verdict 

The PMO has called for a meeting of secretaries on Ayodhya on Thursday, where a view will be taken before briefing the political leadership.