Now, VHP to hold mahayagna in Jogiland

In what is being seen as a reply to the Virat Ramayan Mela organised by Chhattisgarh Assembly Speaker Rajendra Prasad Shukla at Rajnandgaon ...

In what is being seen as a reply to the Virat Ramayan Mela organised by Chhattisgarh Assembly Speaker Rajendra Prasad Shukla at Rajnandgaon two months ago, the VHP has decided to hold a Ram Mahayagna in the neigbouring Durg district.

The three-day event — named the Shri Ram Jai Ram Yagna which, the VHP claims, will be the first of its kind — is to begin on March 28. And with VHP international general secretary Pravin Togadia scheduled to be there on March 30, the last day of the function, the Congress is already quaking in its boots. The Congress’s students wing has even threatened to block Togadia’s entry into Durg and to organise black flag demonstrations in Raipur and Durg towns.

‘Evidence from dig won’t affect building of temple’

BAHRAICH (UP): The Vhp on Sunday said the evidence gathered during the excavation at Ayodhya will in no way affect the construction of the Ram temple there. “The on-going excavation at the acquired land in Ayodhya is the result of the unrelenting attitude of the Muslims,” VHP international general secretary Pravin Togadia said here. “Will the Muslims give up their claim over the disputed site if we get the evidence (of the existence of a temple)? If so, there is enough evidence at Kashi and Mathura but they are not being handed over to us,” he added. (PTI)

‘‘Ours is a religious function. Shri Togadia will reach on March 30 and address the participants. He will also participate in the purn aarti samaroh. If someone tries to interfere, Hindus will teach them an appropriate lesson,’’ says Deepak Singh, a VHP activist.

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Senior Superintendent of Police, Durg, Ashok Juneja says: ‘‘Some NSUI activists met District Collector I.C.P. Kesari and informed him about a black flag demonstration. But we are trying to dissuade them from creating any law and order problem.’’

This will be the first major function which the VHP will be organising in Chhattisgarh after the Gujarat elections and the organisation says it is part of its efforts to mobilise support for the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya.

Says state VHP president Romesh Modi, ‘‘the Virat Ram Mahayagya is part of the Parishad’s nationwide Ram temple movement. Immediately after the function, the VHP will send its jathas to Delhi to build pressure on the Government for construction of the temple.’’

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