The Hindu : National : VHP plans 'satyagraha'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Nov 26, 2004

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National

VHP plans 'satyagraha'

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, NOV. 25. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) working president, Ashok Singhal, today announced a nation-wide "satyagraha" by its activists and Hindu religious leaders on December 5 to protest against the arrest of the Kanchi Sankaracharya, Sri Jayendra Saraswathi.

Briefing mediapersons here, Mr. Singhal said the agitation against the "assault on Hinduism" would not culminate with the release of the Acharya. Avadeshanand Maharaj, head of Juna Akhara, said that the protest was in response to the general feeling of angst across the country over the arrest. "It is not just Hindus, even Muslims are agitated by the arrest," the Juna Akhara head said, adding that the action against the Acharya was part of an international conspiracy to malign the Hindu community. Religious leaders had come together to form the Dharam Raksha Sanyukta Sangharsh Samiti to spearhead the agitation, he said.

Meet in Chennai

Besides the "satyagraha" on December 5, eve of the demolition of Babri Masjid, the VHP has also decided to organise the first meeting of the Acharyasabha in Chennai in mid-December. "The arrest will feature prominently in the deliberations of the Acharyasabha — which was formed last year — and efforts are on to bring all the four other Sankaracharyas to this meeting and involve them in the satyagraha," said Avadeshanand Maharaj.

Asked whether the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had hijacked the VHP's agenda, Mr. Singhal said there was no question of anyone hijacking any issue. "There are many Congress leaders who would have joined the protests against the arrest if they had the choice." Asked further whether the issue had united the Sangh Parivar, he shot back: "When was it divided?"

Asked to react to the BJP president, L.K. Advani's observations in Ranchi which clearly signalled a return to Hindutva, Mr. Singhal said: "If there is a change of heart, it is good. But actions speak for themselves, and mere words will not suffice."

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