NEW DELHI, 5 August 2003 — Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, under scathing opposition attack in Parliament, yesterday stressed he wanted a bitter dispute between Hindus and Muslims over a holy site in northern India settled through the courts or by negotiation.

Opposition members sparked an uproar in the lower house when they accused Vajpayee of “inciting communal passions” by his comments at the funeral of a Hindu priest in which he vowed to ensure a temple was built on the site, in the town of Ayodhya. Addressing mourners on Friday at the funeral in Ayodhya of priest Ramchandra Paramhans — the main force behind a rightwing Hindu drive to build a temple at the site — Vajpayee said: “I shall fulfil his last wish. “I am convinced that all hurdles will be removed gradually. Those who are opposing it (construction of the temple) will have the right wisdom. I make this commitment in front of his funeral fire and ashes,” Vajpayee said.

Yesterday, Vajpayee attempted to clarify his statements to a vociferous opposition. “I said I believe that his (the guru’s) last wish will be fulfilled. What is wrong in saying that? I did not say it would be done forcefully.”

Vajpayee told belligerent opposition MPs that his government’s stand had been consistent — that the issue can be resolved either through the court or through dialogue between Hindu and Muslim leaders. “Has anyone read my speech at Ayodhya?” Vajpayee asked. “I had said everyone would together decide on the temple (issue). This has been our stand all along... There are differences of views on Ayodhya. That is why the issue has not been solved.

“Paramhans was associated with the movement. If on his death, if it is said his dream will be fulfilled, what is wrong in it? I did not say where the temple would be built.”

He also said he would quit if pressured by Hindu activists on the government’s stand on the issue. “Let me tell you, there is no compulsion on me. If ever there is any compulsion, I shall leave everything and quit,” Vajpayee said.

In 1992 Hindu zealots led by Vajpayee’s now-ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) tore down the 16th century Babri mosque, setting off nationwide riots that left more than 2,000 people dead. Hindus believe the mosque was built at the birthplace of their warrior god Ram and have been seeking its handover to construct a temple there. The dispute over the site is now before the courts.

Vajpayee said the opposition should respect the sentiments of a funeral ceremony. “The prime minister is also a citizen. He also has feelings, is a human. But he also knows how to control those feelings,” Vajpayee said adding “people should appreciate the restraint I showed while making the statement.”

Dissatified by the premier’s clarification, the entire opposition walked out of the house. Interestingly, as the premier countered the opposition charges, except for the BJP and Shiv Sena members, none of his allies came to his defense. The BJP and Shiv Sena members were seen thumping desks when Vajpayee said that he had feelings and that the sentiments of the pro-temple lobby should be respected. Raising the issue, Congress chief whip Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi blamed the prime minister for repeatedly changing stand on Ayodhya. He also accused Vajpayee of ignoring the parliamentary tradition according to which no policy matter was announced while the House was in session.

Criticizing the premier for raising the sensitive issue at a public gathering, he said, “The statement of the prime minister will affect the judiciary. It is unfortunate that during the cremation he made such an announcement. His statement upsets people of other sects. He has put the credibility of the nation at stake.” Charging Vajpayee with rousing public passions, Somnath Chatterjee of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) said, “A public meeting was held when the pyre was burning. The intention was to rouse religious passion.” Accusing the RSS and other Sangh Parivar outfits of conspiring to weaken the country, Lok Janshakti leader Ram Vilas Paswan asked the premier “not to play into their hands. “When personal and party interests overtake national interests, the country suffers,” he said.