VHP satyagraha begins

VHP vice-president Acharya Giriraj Kishore declared at a press conference later that ‘‘with the Government having failed to meet our demand by today’s deadline, our fight would henceforth be for both the disputed and the undisputed land at Ayodhya.’’

Through the satygarha, the VHP would launch a signature campaign to mobilise support of MPs for ‘‘our cause and expose who is and who is not in favour of the temple. We would approach even Muslim MPs,’’ he said.

Thousands of VHP activists led by president V.H. Dalmia, working president Ashok Singhal, ex-MP Mahant Avaidyanath and chairman of the Ramjanmabhoomi Nyas Ramchandradas Paramahans courted arrest near Rouse Avenue to press for the return of the Ayodhya land to the Nyas. The protesters, who had planned to march to Parliament, were stopped en route. They shouted slogans like ‘‘Ram lalla ki bhoomi do, varna gaddi chhod do (give the land for the Ram temple or abdicate the throne)’’ and ‘‘Advaniji sharm karo, Somnath yatra yaad karo (shame on you Advaniji, remember Somnath yatra).’’

Togadia warned the Government of ‘‘extreme steps’’ if it failed to heed the VHP demand by April 2 when the satyagraha would come to a close. Singhal called upon people to teach a lesson to those who opposed the Ram temple construction in the coming Assembly elections. Paramhans declared that the temple would be constructed within a year.