BJP reiterates commitment to Ram temple

New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday reiterated that it was "committed" to building a Ram temple in Ayodhya.

Reading out extracts from the manifesto for the Lok Sabha election, BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said the party was "committed to the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya".

On the issue of Sethusamudram, a shipping channel to link India's eastern and western coasts that the BJP is opposed to on grounds that it would destroy a chain of limestone shoals in the Palk straits that it dates back to the Ramayana, Prasad said the party would not "allow anyone to touch it".

The BJP has also said it would stop cow slaughter as it was an issue associated with "faith".

Prasad also talked of scrapping Article 370, which gives special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

"The unity of the country is not possible as long as Article 370 is there," he said.

(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest)