BJP MP Ravindra Kushwaha has said that if the Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre can repeal the three farm laws, it can also withdraw the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991 to pave way for the construction of a grand temple at Sri Krishna Janmabhoomi in Mathura.

The Act prohibits conversion of any place of worship and to provide for the maintenance of the religious character of any place of worship as it existed on August 15 1947, and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

Raising the pitch for a temple at Sri Krishna Janmabhoomi in Mathura, the BJP MP from Balia stated that his party has has a clear view regarding Ayodhya, Kashi (Varanasi) and Mathura since the beginning. 

“These three are a matter of faith for us. Our religion is associated with these religious places,” Kushwaha said, adding that “Our origin is from this (Mathura) place. This is a matter of country’s pride.”

While stressing that Mathura will be “freed”, Kushwaha questioned why they had to construct mosques in front of our temple four-five hundred years ago.

“Ayodhya has been decided, work is on in Kashi Vishwanath temple and now it’s the turn of Mathura,” he added.

Referring to Muslims, Kushwaha said, “Which of their ‘Paigambar’ was born there so that a mosque needed to exist there.”

Kushwaha’s remarks come days after Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya tweeted that “a grand temple in Ayodhya and Kashi is under construction; preparations are on for Mathura”.

Notably, security has been tightened in Mathura to avoid any untoward incident on the Babri Masjid demolition anniversary.

The security was heightened near Katra Keshav Dev temple and the Shahi Idgah Mosque after Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha had proposed march to the Shahi Eidgah to install an idol of Lord Krishna at the deity’s “actual birthplace”. The Hindu Mahasabha later called off the march.