There has been a misinterpretation. I had clearly said Ram Mandir issue is sub-judice,it won't be appropriate to sp… https://t.co/M0kTGJ5Xrc — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) 1517561060000

(With agencies inputs)

NEW DELHI: UP Home Guard DG Surya Kumar Shukla landed himself in a soup after a video emerged in which he is seen taking a pledge to build the Ram Temple in Ayodhya ."We Rambhakts (devotees of Ram), pledge here today to ensure the construction of Ram Temple as soon as possible," Shukla said as he took the oath, according to a report published in Navbharat Times.The incident happened at an event in Lucknow University.In the video, the DG said that Hindus should take the matter in their own hands and not rely on court to provide a solution for the dispute."Hindus must awaken. Leave Muslims out of this. There is nothing about them. Do not even talk about them. It is shameful that despite having 100 crore population of Hindus, we do not have a Ram Mandir ," he said amid the applause of the audience.Shukla recalled that no permission was required on December 6, 1992, when Kar Sevaks stormed the Babri Masjid complex and destroyed the structure."Look at Hindus in Andhra (Pradesh) and Gujarat. They are devout. It is because of them there is voice being raised for Ram Temple. There is a need for awareness today. On December 6, we didn't need the permission of any court. But, the work was done," he said.As the video went viral over the internet, Shukla was quick to dismiss the allegations and said that his statement was misinterpreted."There has been a misinterpretation. I had clearly said Ram Mandir issue is sub-judice, it won't be appropriate to speak on it. The pledge was for communal harmony and not Ram Mandir," he said."I was taking a pledge to create an atmosphere of harmony. The video that has gone viral is an edited version and portions have been deleted deliberately to create mischief," he said.Shukla, who is a 1982-batch IPS officer, said there was a discussion at the programme that if Hindus and Muslims talk of temple construction in Ayodhya and a mosque at a distance from there, then the dispute will end.The Supreme Court has suggested that a way should be found through talks, he said.Commenting on the video, SP spokesman Rajendra Chaudhary termed it a violation of service rules by the IPS officer."Shukla is a public servant, and he is not supposed to take such a pledge at a public function," he said.