The Hindu : U.P. Govt. bracing for VHP programme

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Oct 17, 2003

Front Page

Front Page

U.P. Govt. bracing for VHP programme

By J.P. Shukla

AYODHYA OCT. 16. In view of the tough and extensive security measures taken by the Uttar Pradesh Government, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad has decided to organise symbolic demonstrations here tomorrow. While no important VHP leader was available to get an idea of the strategy for holding the "sankalp sammelan" and "Ayodhya darshan", the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas president, Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, has said that `Ram bhakts' would appear from nowhere and offer worship at eight decided places after a bath in the Sarayu river. "A sankalp sammelan would also be held but the venue cannot be disclosed," he added.

The two important centres of VHP activity — Karsevakpuram and Ramsevakpuram — were deserted today following police raids on Wednesday. The `pandals' erected to provide shelter to the `Ram bhakts' and hold the "sankalp sammelan" were dismantled.

A press release issued by the media centre at Karsevakpuram, quoting the VHP working president, Ashok Singhal, claimed that several VHP officer-bearers would participate in tomorrow's programme.

It stressed that all the programmes would be conducted peacefully. Mr. Singhal alleged that some State Government officials who "subscribed to a particular ideology" were determined to victimise the `Ram bhakts'. The VHP had repeatedly said that its programme would be limited to offering worship and holding a `sankalp sabha', he said and urged the administration not to create any hurdle.

The restrictions, however, mean different things to different people. The common man thinks it is "unnecessary harassment".

For the thousands earning their bread by serving the pilgrims it means going without work for days. With the Sarayu's ghats looking empty without pilgrims, the priests, flower vendors and petty shopkeepers have been deprived of their income. Siya Sahchari, who used to earn about Rs. 60 a day by selling puja materials, made just Rs. 5 today. The situation was almost the same in the main market along the national highway connecting the town with Lucknow. Shops were open but there were no buyers.

The VHP and the BJP saw in this a "repetition" of 1990 when on October 30 and November 2 that year police opened fire to control karsevaks. The State BJP president, Vinay Katiyar, reacted angrily to the curbs placed on the entry of people into Ayodhya. "The entire region has been placed under a curfew-like condition and even the monkeys of Ayodhya had been forced to starve," he said. Instead of helping the construction of a Ram temple by persuading Muslims to withdraw their claim over the disputed site, the Government had created a reign of terror in Ayodhya, Mr. Katiyar said. He, however, felt that the overreaction of the State Government had helped the VHP to fulfil its objective with the media attention fully focussed on the developments in Ayodhya.

VHP sources suggested that Mr. Singhal, as also groups of karsevaks, had taken shelter in nearby rural areas inaccessible to police. They could `surface' tomorrow to participate in the VHP's programme.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page

News Update

Stories in this Section

VHP activists can meet 5 km away from disputed site: Mulayam

U.P. Govt. bracing for VHP programme

PM for talks to find a solution

A shocking incident, says Advani

Gujarat riots: 4 sentenced

Breach of security

Girl rescued

MCC blows up rail track

Govt. team for Rome

Astronaut back