M A I N   N E W S

VHP demands President’s rule in Uttar Pradesh
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, October 17
Implying a covert understanding between the Centre and the Mulayam Singh government, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) today demanded imposition of President’s rule in Uttar Pradesh in protest against the manner in which its senior leader Ashok Singhal was arrested and ‘dragged’ in Ayodhya and accused the Centre of ‘conniving’ with the state government for ‘repression’ on its cadres.

“Just as the NDA allies had demanded dismissal of the Tamil Nadu Government in the wake of DMK leader Karunanidhi’s arrest, the same way they should press for use of Article 356 in Uttar Pradesh,” VHP secretary Surendra Jain told newspersons.

Alleging that Mr Singhal was held by his collar as well as his hand and dragged while being arrested in Ayodhya this morning, Mr Jain accused the Centre of ‘conniving’ with the state government in carrying out repression on VHP activists. The VHP spokesman said the Centre should not be spared for the ‘atrocities’ on Hindus.

Mr Jain said the VHP had given a call to its state units to hold demonstrations in all districts across the country either tomorrow or day after, as per their convenience, in protest against the ‘repression’.

He clarified that there was no call for Bharat bandh on October 19. “Mr Singhal had said in Ayodhya that if atrocities continue Bharat bandh would be observed on Sunday. But now there is no need for it,” Mr Jain said.

The VHP leader thanked its cadres for their strong determination to make the programme successful and said the presence of 147 companies of Central forces and full strength of the Uttar Pradesh Police had failed to deter them.

He said 55,000 Ram bhakts were arrested while 2.5 lakh others were prevented from proceeding to Ayodhya.

He also said the “chakka jam” programme of VHP was very successful as no train or vehicle was allowed to ply between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. today.