‘Advani betrayed Hindus’

VHP working president Ashok Singhal today demanded a public apology from BJP president L.K. Advani, for describing the Ayodhya incident on D...

VHP working president Ashok Singhal today demanded a public apology from BJP president L.K. Advani, for describing the Ayodhya incident on December 6, 1992, as the ‘‘saddest day’’ of his life.

‘‘Advani has said he regretted what happened on December 6, 1992. It is shameful for Advani to speak like this. He has betrayed the entire Hindu community. He should publicly apologise,’’ Singhal said here.

The VHP leader was all the more furious that Advani was expressing remorse on Pakistan soil, ‘‘a country inimical to us.’’ He said: ‘‘This is an insult to the 90 crore Hindus in the country.’’

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Singhal demanded to know why Advani had led the Rath Yatra if he had not believed that the Babri Masjid was built on the ruins of the Ram temple. ‘‘How can a Ram temple be built unless the disputed structure is pulled down?’’ the VHP leader said.

Blaming Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf for the Kargil war and Pakistan for ‘‘enhancing jehadi movements’’ in India, the VHP leader said it was ‘‘shameful’’ for Advani to express regret, that too on ‘‘enemy’’ soil.

‘‘It was Advani who accused Pakistan of waging proxy war in India and now he is apologising on enemy soil,’’ Singhal said.

Asked whether he was opposed to friendship with Pakistan, the VHP leader asked: ‘‘Friendship for what? For strengthening the jehadi movement in the country?’’ He claimed 43 pc of the districts in India was ‘‘reeling under’’ problems of terrorism. ‘‘Who is teaching them (terrorists)? Who is providing training to them?’’ he asked.