Author: Observer Political
Bureau
Publication: The Observer
of Business and Politics
Date: September 7, 2000
VISHWA Hindu Parishad
international secretary Dr Praveen Togadia has said that his organisation
would go ahead with the construction of Ram temple on the disputed site
in Ayodhya. Addressing a press meet organised by the Kesari Memorial Journalists
Trust here on Wednesday, he said despite the turnaround by the BJP on the
issue, the VHP would go ahead with the construction of the temple. "The
BJP's volte-face would not have even one per cent impact on our resolve
to build the temple," he said.
The senior VHP leader
accused the Christians of "humiliating and torturing" the Hindus in their
bid to promote Christianity.
Mr Togadia said that
the campaign launched by the Christian leaders against the VHP and other
Hindu organisations were part of a conspiracy to humiliate the Hindus.
He called on the Christian leaders to apologise for blaming Hindu organisations
for the attacks on Churches and Christian priests in the country.
Mr Togadia has also alleged
involvement of Christian missionaries in terrorist activities in several
parts of the country. He said that the Baptist Mission in Tripura was hand
in glove with the terrorist groups there. The arrest of the Baptist Mission
secretary in Tripura with arms was an indication of the involvement of
the Christians with terrorist groups, he added.
He said that the Hindus
in Tripura were being constantly tortured by the Christians. Mr Togadia
also accused the Christians of acting against the Constitution by indulging
in conversions. "Conversion is nothing, but a destruction of India," he
said. He called on the Union and state governments to deal the terrorists
with an iron hand. Referring to the move for talks with terrorist outfits
in Kashmir, Mr Togadia said any attempt for a compromise with terrorists
would led to mushrooming of more terrorist groups. "This would finally
lead to anarchy and civil war," he cautioned.
The VHP leader said that
he did not believe that Pakistan was fighting for Kashmir alone. They have
ulterior religious motives in their armed onslaught against India, he added.
He urged the central government to set up a task force and strengthen the
intelligence network to prevent the Pakistani designs.