Tags:
Journalism of Courage
Seen within the narrow confines of the Sangh Parivar, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad8217;s manoeuvre at the Kumbh Mela is a master stroke. If it proceeds with the Hindu mobilisation plans announced at the Mela, the Bharatiya Janata Party will have a much tougher political dilemma next year than it did this year. All the noise and bluster of the last few months have ended without a date being set for commencing construction of a Ram temple at the site of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya. As a result, any immediate threat to the unity of the National Democratic Alliance from coalition partners uneasy about the temple movement has been removed. But the BJP8217;s relief will be short-lived. BJP leaders cannot but be unsettled by the VHP-sponsored dharma sansad8217;s new ultimatum which means the price of peace this year is heightened tensions next year and possibly a confrontation just as Uttar Pradesh goes to the polls.
A March 12, 2002 deadline has been announced for the government 8220;to remove all obstacles8221; to temple construction. Between now and then the VHP proposes countrywide religious mobilisation ceremonies which, if successful, will put the BJP on the mat. The choice this year was, save the Central government and lose support within the temple construction movement. Next year the choice may be, save the Central government and lose UP. That at any rate seems to be what Paramahans Ramchandra, president of the Ramjanmabhoomi temple trust, meant when he said he will compel the authorities to hand over the disputed land to the trust. One way of outmanoeuvring the VHP is to call early UP Assembly elections, perhaps as early as this April. From the point of view of the state that may not be a bad idea because the sooner the people get a chance to bring in a strong government, unlike the indecisive ones of the last few years, the better.
