Zee Media Bureau
Lucknow: Terming the chaurasi kos parikrama yatra a ‘religious right’ of the Hindus, BJP chief Rajnath Singh on Friday called upon the Uttar Pradesh government to reconsider its proposed ban on Vishwa Hindu Parishad`s (VHP) proposed yatra.
The BJP president was also quoted as questioning the government`s stand on the issue by saying how sadhus could pose any danger to the law and order in the state.
"The same security that the government has used to ensure the ban could have been used to ensure the pilgrimage went off smoothly," he was quoted as saying.
Rajnath Singh and the BJP`s UP in-charge, Amit Shah, are in Lucknow to address the party`s trade cells today.
Earlier, despite the state government`s ban, the VHP threatened to go ahead with its proposed yatra.
The state government has deployed heavy police force in sensitive Faizabad and Ayodhya districts.
"Besides PAC and RAF, two Superintendent of Police, 16 Additional SPs, 32 Deputy SPs, 80 inspectors, 240 sub- inspectors have been deployed in Faizabad district to maintain law and order in wake of the yatra," said IG (Law and Order) RK Vishwakarma.
The chaurasi kos parikrama yatra route includes six districts - Faizabad, Basti, Barabanki, Gonda, Bahraich and Ambedkar Nagar.
VHP wants to conduct the yatra between August 25 to September 13 to press for construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya.
However, the state government refused permission for the yatra on August 19, saying the Supreme Court had ordered status quo at the disputed site.
