Say no to mosque at disputed site, PM told

By Our Special Correspondent

VIJAYAWADA, DEC. 16. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad chief, Mr. Ashok Singhal, has asked the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, to make it clear that construction of mosque would not be allowed at the disputed site in Ayodhya under any circumstances and advise the Muslims to give up claim on the site to ensure peace and friendship with Hindus.

Addressing the Hindu Virat Sammelan organised to celebrate his 75th birthday here today, Mr. Singhal said that Ram temple would be constructed at Ayodhya with the help of the Government. He said that the NDA Government should approve it as Nehru cabinet had approved reconstruction of Somnath temple in 1949.

He criticised the District Collector for denying permission for holding the meeting in the PWD grounds here even though several Muslim and Christian meetings were permitted there before. ``Such discrimination would end soon''.

Mr. Singhal appealed to the Hindus to contribute one rupee per month each to help the VHP and RSS to continue literacy, health and Sat Sang programmes in all the villages. Stating that no Government could meet the task of educating the entire population, he stressed the need for voluntary organisations to share the burden. He said that Christians are reaching far-flung areas to educate people and using the opportunity to convert them.

He opposed the Tehri dam as it would rob the Ganges of its sacredness. Ganges would cease to flow for three out of four years. Vested interests are working for the project. Mr. G. Ganga Raju welcomed the gathering.

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