By Rajiv Srivastava
Lucknow: The Allahabad high court’s verdict on Tuesday dismissing petitions in the Kashi Vishwanath-Gyanvapi land title suit has set the stage for potential political ramifications leading up to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. While the Sangh Parivar had pledged not to launch agitations after the Ayodhya verdict in 2019, legal battles in the Gyanvapi mosque and Krishna Janmabhoomi cases of Varanasi and Mathura, respectively, are expected to influence political developments. While the Sangh Parivar remains a silent observer in both cases, it finds itself in a favourable position. Ayodhya, Kashi, and Mathura were contentious issues during the 1980s, forming the foundation of the saffron brigade’s campaign, political analysts said.
Historically, during the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, slogans like “Abhi toh kewal jhanki hai, Kashi-Mathura baaki hai (Ayodhya is just the beginning, Kashi, and Mathura are lined up next)” reflected the saffron brigade’s larger plan, contributing to the rise of BJP in Uttar Pradesh in 1991 when Kalyan Singh led the party’s government with majority votes. Subsequently, BJP extended its base and formed the government at the Centre, led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Despite the RSS’s post-Ayodhya verdict declaration to refrain from raising Mathura and Kashi issues, it displayed interest when Hindu parties pursued legal action. Observers noted that the RSS comprehends the impact of these legal disputes on politics, potentially aiding BJP fortunes.
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