NEW DELHI: The general secretary of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) Mr Ashok Singhal said that the U.P. government would give by October end orders to start work for the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya.

Talking to the Press here Mr Singhal said he had four meetings with the UP chief minister Mr Kalyan Singh who assured him that all hurdles in the construction of the temple would be removed by October.

Expressing satisfaction over his talks with the chief minister the VHP leader said the state govt would not acquire the land as he added can however create hurdles in the construction of the temple by acquiring the land and making it difficult for the state govt to resolve the dispute.

AYODHYA MEET: Asked how much time the VHP would give to the BJP govt in UP if the issue is not decided by October Mr Singhal said: “We will give the govt full time to hold talks for the shifting of the Babri Masjid.” He said the two day meeting of the Sri Ram Kar Seva Samiti which would start in Ayodhya on July 20 would be attended by the UP chief minister the BJP legislators and MPs.

Mr Singhal said no date for the construction of the temple would be proposed at the meeting. Only the schedule to shift the mosque would be discussed He said the revenue and other records would also be looked into as they have been tampered with by the previous govt.

Asked whether the dispute would be referred to the Supreme Court for settlement Mr Singhal said “the Supreme court cannot decide on this issue”.

Singhal said the VJP would also discuss in its Ayodhya meet the proposed legislation sought to be brought by the Center to restore the status quo as on August 151947 for all religious places in the country. He said in the opinion of saints and mahatmas this proposed legislation is a “betrayal of the Hindu sentiments”.

GOVT WARNED: He warmed if the status quo regarding the religious places is opened it will not remain confined to the date of August 151947 but will go as back as to the original status of each and every religious place taking into account the history and sanctity of thousands of such sacred shrines and will create such a turmoil in the country that it will become impossible for the govt to control and pacify the people.

Mr Singhal said the date of Aug.15, 1947 reminds us of the great holocaust of the division of the country. He said: “Our leaders at that time had given assurances: for the safety and protection of the religious faith of the Hindus in Pakistan. These assurances were flouted and many Hindu temples were razed to the ground in Pakistan and Bangladesh he added

Article extracted from this publication >> July 26, 1991