Plans a mega rally in Delhi on 9 December in support of a private member’s bill on Ram temple issue.
New Delhi: The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) Saturday announced that it will mount pressure on the BJP-led central government to ensure the passage of a private member’s bill over the Ram temple issue.
The right-wing outfit also says it will organise “big events” across India to garner support for the “cause”.
VHP working president Alok Kumar said three events will be held simultaneously in Ayodhya, Nagpur and Bengaluru on 25 November. Then two more bigger events will be organised in Mumbai and Delhi on 2 December and 9 December, respectively.
The 9 December event will be held in Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan which is expected to be attended by thousands of VHP followers from across the country.
Also read: VHP to direct Modi govt to bring ordinance on Ram Temple
While the event is being organised keeping the winter session of Parliament in mind, sources said that the session could be delayed further. “The decision is to be made by the government,” said a source.
All the events will see sadhus from various maths exchange theirs views on Ram temple construction. Alok Kumas also said that the RSS, BJP’s ideological parent, will also attend the events.
Kumar said that VHP will build huge pressure so that the government feels the heat.
The VHP functionary said that the first phase of its movement to build pressure on the government is complete.
“We have given memorandums to all governors and they have assured that these will be forwarded to the PM as well. The second phase will begin as we launch these big events,” Kumar added.
Last month, in a high-powered steering committee meeting of Hindu saints held at its headquarters in New Delhi, the VHP decided that representatives of Hindu religious institutions would build pressure on governors and MPs to raise the issue with the Prime Minister and in Parliament.
RSS’ stand
Even the RSS has made its position clear on the Ram temple issue. In his annual Vijaya Dashami speech, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat had said the Ram temple is a symbol of India, and has nothing to do with Hindus and Muslims.
“Because of politics, there are people who have delayed the matter of the Ram temple. This temple should be built by whatever means necessary. If the government needs to bring in a law to build the temple, it should,” Bhagwat had said.
If Hindutva organizations like VHP and RSS truly believe that they represent MAJORITY of Hindus, then they should conduct a national referendum on this one question:
“SHOULD RAM TEMPLE BE BUILT IN AYODHYA ON A CLEAN UNDISPUTED PLOT OF LAND, OR ON THE SITE WHERE A MUSLIM MOSQUE WAS DESTROYED WITHOUT LEGAL PERMISSION?”
In Hindi:
“Ayodhya mein Ram mandir nir-vivavid sthaan par banaana chahiye, ya uss sthaan par jahaan musalmanoan ki ek masjid binaa kanooni ijaazat ke giraayai gayi thi?”
Such a statement can be translated verbatim in other Indian languages as well.
Organizing a “large rally” means nothing. People are “pampered” to join in by offering free transport, free “chaay-naashta” which more often than not means MONEY. And we know which is the richest political party in the country today.
The result of the general election will, in a sense, serve as a referendum on this issue as well, showing the extent to which it resonates nationally.