Saffron sees red as sants try tricolour

A pamphlet brought out by the MSS ridicules CM Modi’s Gaurav Yatra, saying ‘‘BJP ni Gaurav Yatra? Ke pacchi kalankyatra? Puccho to khara BJP kai vattnu gaurav leva mange chhe? (Is the BJP taking out a yatra of pride or one glorifying a blot on the nation?)’’

Satpal Maharaj, who is on a Sadbhavana Yatra from Dandi to Ahmedabad at present, is not so open. But his followers wear white uniforms, no different from that of Congress Seva Dal workers, and tricolour scarves.

‘‘With our rally, all we are emphasising is the need for peace in the riot-affected state. It is the only way for national development,’’ says Satpal, who is a ex-minister and hails from Uttaranchal.

Dismissing the two groups, state VHP leader Arvind Brahmbhatt says: ‘‘We have around 4,000 saints from Gujarat with us. I have never heard of Mahagujarat Sant Samiti or even Satpal Maharaj.’’ But in Vadodara, BJP workers alleged that it was Congress-sponsored.

Asked to comment on the samiti, Congress spokesman Himanshu Vyas says: ‘‘It’s an independent body of saints who are against the VHP. It has been active for about two years and it has its own agenda.’’