Search the Internet          Tips

VHP will abide by court verdict, says Singhal

Tara Shankar Sahay in New Delhi

In a clear softening of his stand, Vishwa Hindu Parishad international working president Ashok Singhal said on Thursday that his organisation would maintain the status quo at the disputed site in Ayodhya and accept the judgment of the courts of law.

Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Singhal said, "We withdraw [VHP senior vice-president] Acharya Giriraj Kishore's statement that the VHP will not abide by the court verdict."

Going further, he said, "[Even] if the court rules in favour of a masjid, we will abide by it."

Singhal said he had made this clarification to the prime minister's office, which wanted to know the VHP's stand on the issue.

But "the courts should realise that our patience is not unlimited and should expedite the case," he added.

He expressed confidence that while the VHP would abide by the court verdict, the temple would be built peacefully, without shedding Hindu or Muslim blood.

Referring to the 43 acres of acquired land that the VHP is demanding from the central government, Singhal said there was no dispute [with the Muslims] about it. "That land belongs to the mandir," he said, and urged the Centre to hand it over to the Ram Janambhoomi Nyas during the 100-day purna ahuti yagna that is going on at the moment and is scheduled to end on June 2, 2002.

Singhal also urged the government to lift the restrictions imposed on people travelling to Ayodhya so that the 'Ram sevaks' can take part in religious programmes in the town.

If this is done, he said, the programme of March 15 may be performed in a peaceful, cheerful, joyous and blessed atmosphere.

The Ayodhya Issue: Complete Coverage

Back to top

Tell us what you think of this report