The Hindu : VHP rules out `any compromise' on Ram temple

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Oct 22, 2003

National

National

VHP rules out `any compromise' on Ram temple

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI OCT. 21. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad has reiterated that it is not prepared for "any kind of compromise on the Ram Mandir, Kashi and Mathura issues". The VHP general secretary, Praveen Togadia, told mediapersons here today that they had no objections to talks being held with other parties to resolve the dispute, but that there would be no compromise on the Ram temple issue.

The VHP made it clear that it had little faith in the Central Government's ability to find a negotiated solution to the problem. "No solution has been possible for over 400 years, I don't believe that (Swami) Chinmayanand will be able to find one in just a year," said Mr. Togadia. The VHP was working on the next phase of its agitation to ensure the construction of a Ram temple at Ayodhya, he added.

Mr. Togadia said the "moment of reckoning" was fast arriving for Muslims and that it was time for them to withdraw their claims on the Babri Masjid. The VHP district units had been asked to compile a list of religious places demolished by Muslims "so that the whole country comes to know the extent of the vandalism indulged in by Muslims."

The VHP leader did little to hide his displeasure with the Bharatiya Janata Party and pointed out that the mobilisation on the Ayodhya issue was done "without the support of any political party". Mr. Togadia said the VHP had decided not to campaign for any political party in the coming Assembly elections in December. "We want people to know that our agenda is the construction of the Ram temple and the establishment of a `Hindu Rashtra'. We are not in the power game," he said.

Mr. Togadia made no secret of the fact that the VHP and the BJP did not see eye to eye on the temple issue. "After joining the NDA, the BJP's priorities have changed. Since they are not working for the benefit of the Hindu masses they cannot expect to benefit from their votes as well," he said.

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

National