VHP yatra ban: Wheels within wheels

After all,the 84-kosi parikarma is annually held by Hindu saints in the Chaitra-Baisakh period in the Hindu calendar,or April-May. This VHP yatra was to cover nearly 252 km and be held from August 25-September 13. The outfit announced the yatra during the Kumbh Mela in February. Hectic preparations had been on for mobilising support,obviously with an eye on the Lok Sabha elections.

As for the BJP,while it is riding on the charisma of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi,even making his acolyte Amit Shah the state in-charge,the latter’s forays into Uttar Pradesh have so far failed to enthuse the voters. An issue such as the foiled VHP yatra provides the BJP crucial impetus.

The script for this row appears to have Mulayam written all over it. A yatra which had remained a non-starter since its announcement suddenly became news when on August 17,VHP leaders including Ashok Singhal had a two-hour unscheduled meeting with Akhilesh and Mulayam. Soon reports emerged of the VHP hailing the SP government for agreeing to the yatra. A day later,minister Azam Khan,the Muslim face of the SP government,objected to the meeting. The next day,Akhilesh banned the yatra.

The drama had been written over three days,with the roles well-defined. A defiant BJP termed it an attack on Hindu liberties done at the behest of Azam Khan for appeasement of Muslims,while the SP termed it necessary for maintaining law and order,the message being directed at Muslims.

Faisal is a senior correspondent based in Lucknow