FAIZABAD: The VHP supremo, Ashok Singhal, said here Feb.7 that the Congress was encouraging Shiv Sena activity in UP with the intention of dividing Hindu voles in the cow belt.

Talking to newsmen, he alleged that some Shiv Sena and Congress leaders had a political understanding to drive a wedge between Hindus. Singhal ridiculed the Shiv Sena claim that it had demolished the Ayodhya shrine, asking how many Shiv Sena men were buried under the rubble. Six kar sevaks were killed and 350 injured when the structure was brought down.

The VHP secretary general said the sants might announce future plans on temple construction before Ram Navmi or soon after. He said if the Center began construction, VHP kar sevaks would rush here in lakhs to stop the work and carry it out according to the VHP plan. Singhal, however, hoped that the land acquisition Ordinance would be defeated in Parliament. Asked if there was a possibility of the crowd running amuck during the BJP’s Delhi rally, Singhal said, “What happened in Ayodhya was a rare incident. It is not going to be repeated. We will ensure that the Press is never attacked in future,” Singhal apologized for the attacks. Singhal said the decision on the construction of the Ram temple will be taken by the working committee of the newly constituted Ram Janambumi Nyas Manch. Signatures will be submitted to the respective state governors demanding construction of the Sri Ram temple by the Ram Janambhumi Nyas, Singhal said.

Singhal expressed doubts over any serious effort made by P.V.Narasimha Rao, on the Ayodhya issue.

“Perhaps he wants to complicate the issue further by referring the matter to the Supreme Court under Article 143. The single point reference has not been accepted by the apex count till Sunday because of certain complexities and public notice has yet to be issued,” Singhal said.

Parliament’s approval regarding the acquisition of the 67.703 acre land in Ayodhya may also run into rough weather, since political parties have different views on the issue, he said.

On Arjun Singh’s dissociation from the cabinet subcommittee on the“ Ayodhya white paper” and the reported differences between Arjun Sing hand Dinesh Singh the other Union minister, the VHP leader said, “In fact there are two thinking’s in the Congress on the Ayodhya issue, While one section is for appeasement policy for the minorities, the other section is slightly moderate which includes the prime minister too.”

Article extracted from this publication >>  February 12, 1993