VHP expects more from ‘noble’ Manmohan

On Singh’s reaction on solving the Ram temple issue, Singhal said: ‘‘Both our new PM and our President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam are noble figures. It’s the good fortune of the country that we have two such men at the top posts,’’ Singhal said, adding that both have expressed the desire to solve the issue either through courts or by the consensus of all aggrieved parties.

Asked if the defeat of the BJP-led NDA would be a setback to the Ayodhya movement, the Hindu leader said the movement had nothing to do with political parties. ‘‘The Ram Janmabhoomi issue is a religious movement started by our dharma gurus, not by the political parties,’’ he said.

‘‘It assumed political colours because the Muslims as a community did not want the temple to be built.’’

Asked what the VHP would do in the wake of a Congress-led alliance coming to power, Singhal said he would educate the illiterate of the country. ‘‘As many as 50 per cent of the people are illiterate. They need to be guided on the cultural aggression by the Christian community,’’ he said.