
NEW DELHI, OCT 29: The Sanskriti Raksha Manch, a frontal organisation of the VHP, on Friday softened its stand on the demand for a apology from Pope John Paul II on the Goan inquisition, even as it sought Presidential intervention on the Madhya Pradesh government8217;s decision to stop the Goa-Delhi rath yatra.
8220;We do not want him to give us a written apology on a stamp paper. At least he should express regrets for the atrocities committed on Hindus during the Portuguese rule and voice his opposition to the disrespect of Hindu gods by the church,8221; SRM convenor Major General retd. V S Joglekar told reporters here this afternoon.
Condemning the MP government8217;s action in preventing the Goa-Delhi yatra from entering the state, he said the march was aimed only at creating awareness about the past misdeeds of the church.
8220;It is not difficult for us to assemble lakhs of people in Delhi, but it was just meant to be a token protest,8221; he said, while terming the Digvijay Singh government8217;s move as 8220;anti-Hinduand undemocratic.8221;
8220;We urge immediate action to undo the high-handed and unjust action to avoid the hardship and torture to the small group of marchers,8221; he further pointed out.
While SRM activists would put banners across Delhi and stage sit-ins, they would not disturb any functions organised here during the papal visit, Joglekar pointed out. 8220;The banners will welcome the Pope and urge the church to stop conversions and denigrating our gods and scriptures,8221; he said.