NEW DELHE: The banned VHP will shortly launch a counter offensive to wrest the initiative from the detractors of Hindutva.
It has prepared an action plan to rejuvenate its cadres and sadhus associated with the Ayodhya movement. The plan includes holding of ‘dharam sansads’ in five different parts of the country to chalk out the program for launching kar seva for the temple and to hold a massive mahita sammelan in the capital.
Those decisions were taken at a secret conclave in which about 100 senior leaders and organizers of the banned organization took part. The four day conclave held at an undisclosed place concluded its deliberations on Dec.15.
Meeting under the shadow of the set back to the Sangh Parivar in the recent assembly elections, the Parishad leaders are believed to have reviewed the postelection scenario in the country, particularly U:P. Insiders say the consensus was that the BJP would have done much better in these elections if it had not soft-pedaled Hindutva. Although the BJP did talk about the temple during the campaign, it was pointed out by several leaders; the emphasis was notes strong as it was in 1991 elections.
No names were mentioned, but the BJP leadership came in for adverse comment al the conclave for not involving the Parishad cadres and Sadhus in its election campaign, it is learnt. A senior leader, it is further learnt.
Observed that the defeat in the assembly elections might prove a blessing in disguise as it would force the BJP leadership to read the writing on the wall namely BJP has to future without Hindutva.
A senior leader of the Parishad, who did not want to be identified for obvious reasons, told Indian Express that the Ayodhya issue would be pursued vigorously in the coming months. Saints and Sadhus will be consulted to fix at date for launching the construction of the temple.
“We will fine tune our strategy as the situation unfolds itself, In the event of the Government handing over the land to a Trust for the construction of the temple, the Parishad will have a particular strategy. On the other hand, if the Government sits over the issue, the Parishad may launch a mass movement,” he observed. The Dharam Sansads’ will be held at Nasik (February 24), Tirupati (February 2325), Kashi (March 1618), Guwahati (March 23 & 24) and Hardwar (April 24), it is learnt.
The Pans had will organize the second phase of ‘Kkatamta Yatras’ next year with emphasis on social harmony. The banned organization is acutely aware of the designs of certain castist elements that were out lo dividing the Hindu society. Efforts would be made to carry all sections of the Hindu society along without causing caste conflicts.
Article extracted from this publication >> December 24, 1993
