Nyas chief hits out at PM’s critics

Mahant Paramhams Ramachandra Dass, chief of the VHP-backed Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas, today hit out at the VHP leaders for criticising the Prime ...

Mahant Paramhams Ramachandra Dass, chief of the VHP-backed Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas, today hit out at the VHP leaders for criticising the Prime Minister and BJP on the Ram temple issue, adding that the acquired land should be returned to him on the basis of earlier evidence and religious scriptures and not the ongoing excavation.

‘‘I don’t agree with some people in VHP who criticised Prime Minister and BJP for backing out of their commitment. Vajpayee became Prime Minister only after BJP put behind its agenda and adopted the NDA agenda,’’ Dass said.

The Mahant, head of the powerful Digambari Akhara, who kept the entire country on tenterhooks ahead of the much-hyped shiladaan last year, also announced his decision not to proceed with his threat to take the carved stones to the acquired land after March 27.

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Dass said: ‘‘I was not aware of the VHP satyagrah programme in Delhi beginning the same day. I don’t want to divert the focus from the agitation by holding a parallel programme here. I would also be taking part in the programme.’’

On the on-going excavation to ascertain whether a temple existed beneath the disputed structure, the Nyas chief said: ‘‘what steps have the courts taken so far to settle the issue which has been pending since the 1940’s. The religious texts and relics found so far should be the yardsticks for taking a decision in this regard.’’

Asked about the possibility of a dialogue, he said: ‘‘Muslims have never agreed to any solution through talks. No namaz has been offered there since 1934. When it was not a mosque why should I besiege them to return it to me. It rightfully belongs to me.’’

‘‘Let the Muslims be honest and return Ayodhya, Kashi and Mathura to us and establish goodwill in the country,’’ he added.