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VHP threatens `people`s movement` on Ram temple
New Delhi, Feb 05: Mounting pressure on the Centre on the Ayodhya issue, VHP today threatened to launch a
New Delhi, Feb 05: Mounting pressure on the Centre on the Ayodhya issue, VHP today threatened to launch a "people`s movement" if the government failed to allow work on the construction of Ram temple on the acquired land in Ayodhya by February 23.
10,000 saints from across the country will assemble in the national capital for a two-day `dharam sansad` from February 22, VHP international general secretary Praveen Togadia told a press conference here.
"They will take a strong decision and a `jan andolan` (people`s movement) will be launched if no step is taken by 1800 hours of February 23 to allow work for construction of the temple" at Ayodhya, he asserted.
"We are not giving any deadline or ultimatum. We have one-point agenda -- construction work for the temple should start whether at undisputed or dispute land," Togadia said.
To a question, the firebrand leader asserted that the threat this time was "not symbolic" like that witnessed last year when there was "no movement".
"Aap dekhiye. Is bar hum karke dikhayenge. Is bar aar par ho jayega (you see. This time we will do it. This time it will be all out)," he said.
“We expect both the BJP-led government and the Congress to decide on allowing the temple construction," Togadia said, warning "otherwise there will be a Hindu backlash against those who are not with us causing a major political damage."
To a question, Togadia asserted there was no change in the "original" construction map according to which the temple is to be built on a land of 270 sq metres by 115 sq metres including the disputed 80 sq metre piece.
He said that BJP being in the government has more responsibility to take a decision on the issue "but its leaders are hesitant to speak openly although they murmur in support of the temple".
Claiming that some Congress leaders were "in touch with us" and they had "no guts to speak", he said the party cadres had to decide "whether they want to follow party president Sonia Gandhi`s anti-Hindu policies or respect Hindu sentiments".
"We will remain silent till February 23 evening to see who stands where," he said.
On the question of negotiated settlement to the dispute, Togadia said although VHP was "open for a dialogue, we will not propose any talks with either the Centre or the Muslim leadership".
"If a proposal comes from either of them, we will consider," he said maintaining that it was not in touch with anybody in the government on the issue.
On mediation by Kanchi Shankaracharya Jayendra Saraswati, he said the VHP had not requested him to do so. "But he is respected by us and if his initiative leads to positive results -- nothing less than temple construction -- it will be welcome," he said.
Bureau Report
"Aap dekhiye. Is bar hum karke dikhayenge. Is bar aar par ho jayega (you see. This time we will do it. This time it will be all out)," he said.
“We expect both the BJP-led government and the Congress to decide on allowing the temple construction," Togadia said, warning "otherwise there will be a Hindu backlash against those who are not with us causing a major political damage."
To a question, Togadia asserted there was no change in the "original" construction map according to which the temple is to be built on a land of 270 sq metres by 115 sq metres including the disputed 80 sq metre piece.
He said that BJP being in the government has more responsibility to take a decision on the issue "but its leaders are hesitant to speak openly although they murmur in support of the temple".
Claiming that some Congress leaders were "in touch with us" and they had "no guts to speak", he said the party cadres had to decide "whether they want to follow party president Sonia Gandhi`s anti-Hindu policies or respect Hindu sentiments".
"We will remain silent till February 23 evening to see who stands where," he said.
On the question of negotiated settlement to the dispute, Togadia said although VHP was "open for a dialogue, we will not propose any talks with either the Centre or the Muslim leadership".
"If a proposal comes from either of them, we will consider," he said maintaining that it was not in touch with anybody in the government on the issue.
On mediation by Kanchi Shankaracharya Jayendra Saraswati, he said the VHP had not requested him to do so. "But he is respected by us and if his initiative leads to positive results -- nothing less than temple construction -- it will be welcome," he said.
Bureau Report