Ayodhya, Ocboter 18
A day after the state government thwarted the attempt of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP to organise the ‘sankalp sammelan’, members of the organisation thronged Ayodhya and Karsevakpuram today to renew their pledge to build a Ram temple at the disputed site while senior VHP leader Ashok Singhal asked them to get ready for a decisive battle.

The contrast was palpable — the security forces that were preventing ‘Ram bhakts’ from entering Ayodhya yesterday were today seen facilitating their movement. Barricades were put up and police forces stood there in large numbers, but today, some policemen even came forward to seek blessings of saints.

“It is a changed scenario. They are now free to go anywhere they like, there is no restriction on them,” Inspector-General of Police, Lucknow range, Mr V.N. Rai, told mediapersons this evening.

‘Ram bhakts’ were moving in only one direction — towards Karsevakpuram. Raising slogans, they marched towards Karsevakpuram, where the VHP organised its ‘sankalp’ programme.

“The flow towards Ayodhya is continuing. People are coming in large numbers. Those who have been released have come to Ayodhya instead of going home,” said J.P. Sharma, Commissioner of Faizabad division.

According to an estimate, at least 15,000 ‘Ram bhakts’ today came to Ayodhya and a majority of them went to have ‘darshan’ at the makeshift temple.

The action started in the morning. VHP international General Secretary Pravin Togadia was arrested in Lucknow when he was on his way to Ayodhya. After three-and-a-half hours of detention, he was released.

Tremors of Mr Togadia’s arrest could be felt at Ayodhya. VHP international President Ashok Singhal said by arresting Mr Togadia, the state administration had challenged Hindu ‘samaj’.

“In India, the 84 per cent Hindus have been reduced to second-class citizens. The governments, both at the Centre and in the state, are dancing at the tune of Muslims. Those 13 per cent Muslims are ruling the country,” Mr Singhal said while addressing VHP activists during the ‘sankalp’ programme.

“They call themselves secular,” he said, and as if playing to the gallery, asked the gathering whether these governments be dethroned. “Yes”, screamed the ‘Ram bhakts’, raising their hands.

Mr Singhal said Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav had harassed ‘Ram bhakts’ only to win the votes and confidence of Muslims. Dr Ram Vilas Vedanti, senior VHP leader, led the ‘Ram bhakts’ in taking a pledge that they would build a Ram temple at the disputed site.

LUCKNOW: The Uttar Pradesh unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today sought an apology from Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav for the ‘atrocities’ on ‘Ram bhakts’ in the state.