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No. The demand is for the return of only
three of the holiest of the holy sites and not the rest of the thousands
of the vandalised sites. This has been clearly stated by the VHP as far
back as January 1991. In its written submission to the government, VHP
said: "We do not even demand the return of the thousands of places of
worship that have been forcibly replaced with mosques...We merely want
three places back, three age-old sacred places. And we would prefer getting
them back from the Muslim community, to getting them back by an official
decree.....Muslims should understand what kind of message they are sending
by insisting on continuing the occupation of our sacred places, an occupation
started by fanatics and mass-murders like Babar and Aurangzeb. We do not
like to think of our Muslim compatriots as heirs and followers of such
invaders and tyrants. It is up to them to make a gesture that will signify
a formal break with this painful past."
Ten years ago VHP had made this unequivocal
statement about its position on the return of only the three sites. In
asking for the return of only three sites, which have a special significance
to the Hindus, it is clear that they are not seeking revenge. |