The Hindu : National : A success, says VHP leader

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Monday, Sep 13, 2004

National

National

A success, says VHP leader

By Our Special Correspondent

IN AGGRESSIVE MOOD: VHP and Bajrang Dal activists, who were prevented by police from going to Pratapgarh to demolish the tomb of the Mughal commander, Afzhal Khan, at Poladpur in Maharashtra on Sunday. _ Photo: Vivek Bendre

POLADPUR (MAHARASHTRA), SEPT. 12. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader, Venkatesh Abdeo, was among several VHP and Bajrang Dal leaders arrested today before they could reach Pratapgarh fort, near here, and destroy Afzal Khan's tomb there.

However, a short while before his arrest, Mr. Abdeo said: "For us this agitation is a success as many people still managed to reach near the fort despite so much security and oppression. However, our demand to remove the illegal structures on the tomb remains."

At Loharmal, near Poladpur, the district administration allowed VHP and Bajrang Dal members to hold a meeting which was turned into a "victory" rally of sorts. Youth waving saffron flags and brandishing trishuls had come in buses shouting "ai Bhavani, Jai Shivaji."

The VHP's Ravindra Korde said: "It's a victory rally as the Government has agreed to our demands, though action is yet to be taken. How can the government allot forest land to the trust in the name Afzal Khan and even support it with funds?"

Varying demands

However, there were differences among the speakers on the issue of the tomb, with some VHP members demanding its destruction. Sandeep Tondapurkar of the Bajrang Dal in Konkan said that since it was Shivaji Maharaj who had allotted land for Afzal Khan to be buried, the tomb must not be touched. "But it must be restored to its original status, minus all the new fancy illegal structures."

The Satara Collector, S.B. Patil, told The Hindu that the VHP intended to destroy the tomb and that was why there was tight security. He said the fort would remain sealed off for a few more days.

"We had agreed to all the demands of the VHP and there was no issue for agitation. Even the meeting in Panchwad was an illegal gathering."

"The VHP has no local support here on this issue and they are trying to spread enmity," Mr Patil said. He denied reports that VHP members had reached the fort. They were arrested well before that, he added.

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