Author: TNN And Agencies
Publication: The Times of India
Date: September 23, 2007
BJP has threatened to launch a massive agitation
if the state government allowed Britons, including soldiers of the original
British garrison, to visit the state capital to celebrate "their victory
in the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857". "The government must ban their entry
into the state capital on Monday, else BJP will take to streets,'' said party
leader Lalji Tandon.
Several parties have also condemned the visit
of 19 Britons to Meerut to install a "plaque'' at St John's church to
celebrate the "victory''. The bishop, though, denied them the permission.
The district administration has ordered a probe into how the contingent arrived
in Meerut to take part in the "celebrations''. "If the functions
are held without permission, they should be thrown out of the country,'' said
Tandon.
Tandon said BJP would celebrate 'Shaurya Divas'
on Monday where party leaders and workers would offer a floral tribute to
the fighters and hold programmes to spread their message. He condemned the
UP police chief 's reported statement that the Britons would be provided police
protection during their visit.