Ordinance for Ram temple: A key that won't open the locks in Ayodhya

Any ordinance that will block one side from access to adjudication, while perpetuating the status quo as far as demolition is concerned is likely to be held unconstitutional

On January 21, 2002 monks, priests and assorted sadhus of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) began a long march - the Sant Chetavni Yatra - from Ayodhya. Having journeyed through Uttar Pradesh, they planned to reach Delhi on January 27. Their demand was that the government "remove all obstacles” to the building of a Ram temple at the site of the former Babri Masjid by March 12, 2002.

Questions were raised in Parliament regarding the steps being taken to keep a check on the VHP’s designs. On March 7, 2002, the Minister of State for Home Affairs, I.D. Swami told