BHOPAL: Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Surendra Jain on Saturday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi must call a joint session of Parliament to pass a legislation that will pave the way for construction of Ram temple “with consensus”.

Jain, who addressed the opening session of the three-day national convention of Bajrang Dal in Bhopal on Saturday, confirmed that initiatives taken by VHP were aimed at putting pressure on the BJP-led NDA government for “timely action”. He said VHP does not doubt government’s commitment on Ram temple and believed that it would make efforts in its own way, but added that “there is a commitment and social pressure involved”.

“We are clear that the Ram temple issue can be solved by passing a legislation in Parliament. We are hopeful that being in power at the Centre and in Uttar Pradesh, the government is making strenuous efforts to pave the way for construction of the temple,” Jain told TOI. “If one says that our repeated demands would put pressure on the government, we justify the same as governments always work under pressure. We have no doubts about its commitment to build the Ram temple and also believe that government will surely do away with all hurdles,” said Jain.

In the convention, it was decided that the VHP-Bajrang Dal combine would forward three resolutions to the Centre — Ram temple construction, common law for cow slaughter and social justice. The organisation has recommended Sangh Parivar’s idea on social equality and will forward all three recommendations to Prime Minister Modi. The convention also discussed Army action in Kashmir and decided to begin an “awareness campaign” among public.

Jain said that the idea of a common law against cow slaughter was initially mooted by BJP and “has turned out to be a common demand”. “BJP had assured to make a law to ban cow slaughter and hopefully, in accordance with the government, it must have fixed some time to announce it,” he said.

“We believe that Modi ji is firm on his commitment and the whole world knows about it. To fulfil his agenda he is most likely to bring a law against cow slaughter before elections, is what we are sure about,” said Jain.

On the second day, VHP general secretary Pravin Togadia is likely to address the members. Togadia has repeatedly demanded building an out-of-court consensus on the Ram temple issue after PM Narendra Modi and CM Yogi Adityanath came into power.

