VHP plans to organise Ram Katha in Dangs

Subir, a non-descript village among the 311 villages made it to the headlines after several incidents of burning and desecration of churches in 1998. However, Subir also houses the famous Shabri Mata temple devoted to Lord Rama’s ardent devotee Shabri.

It is in this temple, which is a prominent icon of tribal belief, that the Ram Katha will be held from October 22 to October 30. According to local belief, Lord Rama, his wife Sita and brother Lakshman spent part of their 14-year exile in the forests of Dangs.

President of the organising committee of Ram Katha and a senior RSS leader of south Gujarat Jayanti Kevat says, ‘‘We want to construct a Shabri mandir on the lines of Ambaji mandir, so we are organising the Ram Katha here in the temple premises, which at present is a thatched hut.’’

When asked about the political significance of the Ram Katha, Kevat deftly skirts the issue. He says, ‘‘This is Morari Bapu’s Ram Katha and he is a non-political person,’’ and added ‘‘This will also send a message against the wide-spread conversions that are going on here in the Dangs.’’

Kevat says, ‘‘Dharmantran deshantran hai (Change of religion is like changing the character of the country)’’. ‘‘There were few stray incidents that took place here, but there is only one registered church in the entire Dangs district. The rest are just called churches when they are not so.’’

Elaborating on the issue of conversions, Kevat says, ‘‘I think Jayalalithaa has done the right thing by banning conversions in Tamil Nadu.’’ On whether the BJP will do the same if brought back to power in Gujarat, he says, ‘‘The manifesto is being prepared by a committee, which has been specially appointed for the purpose, so we cannot say anything right now.’’

Regarding the political connotations of the Ram Katha, he says, ‘‘This is a non-political function. We only aim at spreading awareness about Hindu religion through this katha, which will continue for eight days.’’

Notably, not even a single BJP candidate has ever won any election from Dangs district since Independence. About this Kevat says, ‘‘These are two separate issues, which should not be mixed together.