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VHP goes back on promise to abide by court verdict

K G Suresh in Hardwar

In a major U-turn on its earlier commitment to abide by the court verdict, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad on Friday declared that the Ram temple issue was 'non-negotiable' and matters of faith cannot be decided by judiciary.

The two-day meeting of the outfit's Kendriya Margdarshak Mandal (central advisory body) which began in Hardwar also announced a programme for construction of Ram temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya.

Charging the government and the All India Muslim Personal Law Board on going back on its words given ahead of the March 15 shiladaan programme, VHP international general secretary Praveen Togadia said, "Ram temple is non-negotiable. It is a matter of faith for 90 crore Hindus worldwide."

He said that VHP respected the role of the judiciary in a democratic set-up, but 'it has no role in matters of faith'.

He alleged that the Muslim Board went to the court and the government did not remove the obstacles in the path of the March 15 programme against their commitment and as such the VHP was not bound to adhere to its part of the trilateral agreement.

Ahead of the shiladaan programme, VHP international working president Ashok Singhal in his capacity as the managing trustee of the Ram Janambhoomi Nyas had given a written commitment to Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee that the Nyas would abide by the court verdict.

The written undertaking was part of the peace initiative taken by Kanchi Shankaracharya Swami Jayendra Saraswati.

Togadia demanded enactment of a law to facilitate construction of Ram temple 'keeping in view the Hindu sentiments and to prevent violence in the country'.

He announced that the Kendriya Margdarshak Mandal would launch a three-phase movement leading to the construction of Ram temple at Ayodhya.

The decision of the Margdarshak Mandal would be endorsed at the national executive meeting of VHP in Ranchi from July 4 to 10, which would be followed by state level meetings of VHP in the third week of July, Togadia said.

"This would be followed by district level meetings from August to September. Then our activists will reach out to 125,000 villages across the country from September to December. Sant yatras, Ram mandir rallies and mass mobilisation would be organised from December to February," he said.

"Ram temple issue is above government and politics. Without caring for the government or political party in power, we will build Ram temple on people's strength," an aggressive Togadia said.

He also warned the Centre against acquiring the temples near the Ram Janmabhoomi site, saying "Ayodhya will witness yet another phase of unrest."

PTI

Earlier Report:
VHP condemns 'suppression' of shiladaan

The Ayodhya Issue: Complete Coverage

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