Even AS Hindu sants in Ayodhya asked for L.K. Advani’s resignation from the post of BJP president today, in the leader’s own constituency, his protege Pravin Togadia led the demand that Advani apologise for expressing regret for the Babri demolition on Pak soil.With the protest gathering steam, Advani’s authority has come to be challenged for the first time in a state considered the BJP’s Hindutva laboratory — one from which the BJP stalwart himself had launched the Ram Mandir campaign.In Ayodhya, religious leaders who had gathered at the Ram Janki temple under Jagatguru Ramanujacharya Swamimadhavacharya, said, ‘‘Advani, by raising a domestic matter in the enemy country of Pakistan, has not just lowered the dignity of the majority community but diluted the sacrifice of scores of karsewaks and Ram bhaktas involved in the Ram temple movement.’’On Thursday, VHP leader Ashok Singhal had demanded in Chennai that Advani apologise to all Hindus for his statement. Now, Togadia has also come out with a strongly-worded statement, sent to all newspaper offices yesterday, insisting that Advani come out with an apology.This is the same Togadia, who like many other VHP leaders, had taken active part in Advani’s rath yatra from Somnath to Ayodhya, which turned around the BJP’s fortunes.Anti-Advani banners have come up all across his Gandhinagar constituency. Here’s what the posters say:• Advani, jawab do: Pakistan ney kya khilaya-pilaya? Miya Musharraf tera baap kehlaya!• Jhutha khel, jhuthi baani, Hindu drohi hai Advani• Advani jawab do: Saat baar Somnath tuta, kisne maafi maangi? Ayodhya me tuta voh mandir tha fir kyun maafi maange?Though the banners do not name the organisation, VHP leaders in private, admit that they are behind the campaign.Togadia’s statement yesterday said Advani has insulted the Hindus by expressing regret for the Babri demolition. ‘‘Wasn’t division of this country and his coming here as a refugee a more shameful event in Advani’s life than December 6, 1992?’’ he asks in the statement.Togadia further states that till today nobody has apologised for the demolition of Hindu temples in Kashi, Mathura, and Ayodhya. ‘‘What is Advaniji trying to prove by issuing such a statement in Pakistan?’’Togadia says Advani’s statement has caused great embarrassment to all VHP and BJP workers who made sacrifices for the cause of Ram Janmabhoomi.‘‘Advani should not forget that he could become the deputy prime minister only because of the Rathyatra of 1992. Not just that yatra, we have stood by him in all election campaigns, hoping he will do something for the community. But by making such a statement, he has crossed all limits. We will not sit quietly till he tenders an apology,’’ says a senior VHP leader. The BJP’s reaction, so far, has been guarded. State unit president Vajubhai Vala said,‘‘I believe there is some misunderstanding.And I believe the issue can only be resolved if Advani himself clarifies his stand.’’
