New Delhi, March 3
The VHP today said it would go ahead with its plan to shift the carved stones to the Ram Janmabhoomi site at Ayodhya on March 15.VHP international working President Ashok Singhal told reporters here that top Hindu religious leaders would meet in the Capital tomorrow to discuss “obstructions” in the smooth conduct of the ongoing “purnahuti yagya” at Ayodhya.
“Our programme regarding shifting of the carved stones on March 15 remains unchanged as decided by the religious leaders. As in the past, the VHP will continue to carry out all its activities with non-violence and peace,” Mr Singhal said.
Tomorrow’s meeting at the VHP headquarters here would also discuss the deliberations the VHP leaders had with Mr Vajpayee and RSS leaders subsequent to their accepting the mediator’s role.
Asked whether the religious leaders would be meeting Mr Vajpayee, Mr Singhal said “if necessary, but no such meeting is scheduled.”
The meeting at the VHP headquarters would be attended by seven of the 10 religious leaders who had called on Mr Vajpayee on February 27, including Mahant Paramhams Ramchandra Das, President, Ram Janambhoomi Nyas (Trust) and BJP MP, Swami Chinmayanand, he said.
The VHP leader also released a copy of a letter submitted to the Prime Minister on February 27, in which the Trust had enclosed extracts from relevant court judgements and a site plan of the Ram Janambhoomi area, and demanded that the government return to it 42 acre of land belonging to it which was acquired by the government.
It also said the Centre might retain in its possession sufficient area of acquired undisputed land adjacent to the disputed structure so that a reasonable extent out of that area may be handed over to the successful party if and when suits are decided.
Meanwhile, as the toll in the communal violence in Gujarat during the past four days crossed the 400 mark, the VHP today appealed for peace saying that every life is precious.
“I appeal to all my countrymen to maintain peace and harmony throughout this blessed land. I request you to be vigilant to thwart any and all internal and external threats to the security of the nation,” Mr Singhal said at a
press conference here.Urging people to offer silent prayers to the memory of the dead, Mr Singhal said, “to the followers of Hindu dharma, every life is precious.”
He said the VHP would continue to carry out all activities with non-violence and peace.
The ‘Ramsewaks’ were going to Ayodhya only to offer prayers and not to create any law and order problem, he said questioning the necessity of restrictions imposed on their movement to and within Ayodhya by the government.
Mr Singhal claimed that over 40,000 ‘Ramsewaks’ had visited Ayodhya within five days before the imposition of the restrictions to participate in the ‘purnahuti yagya’.
The VHP also denied media reports that the outfit had called an emergency meeting of its leaders today which was subsequently cancelled following the death of the Lok Sabha Speaker in a helicopter crash in Andhra Pradesh.
PTI
