Face-off imminent between VHP and UP govt over 84-kosi yatra
21 Aug 2013 10:58 PM GMT
The face-off between the VHP and Uttar Pradesh government, over ban on the 84-kosi parikrama around Ayodhya seems imminent, as the Hindu organisation announced its plans to go ahead with it from 25 August.
UP chief minister, Akhilesh Yadav, however, reiterated his government’s stand stating in the state capital on Tuesday, that the maintainence of law and order had already spelled out as their reason behind the ban. The government also said that if VHP continues with its plan of ‘Chaurasi Kosi Yatra’ despite denial of permission, it may seal boundaries of the six districts through which the pilgrimage is proposed, besides making arrangements to stop people from reaching Ayodhya.
IG (law and order) R K Vishwakarma said a tight vigil will be maintained in the districts of Faizabad, Basti, Barabanki, Gonda, Bahraich and Ambedkar Nagar and people including saints and seers, will be prevented from reaching Ayodhya. A detailed plan in this regard is being worked out and proper coordination will be ensured between the railway, bus and air authorities.
Vishwakarma said 10 companies of RAF were received by the state for Eid and they are available till 21 August, but it seek extension of their stay.
Senior Vishwa Hindu Parishad functionary Swami Chinmayanand, in a press conference in Ayodhya, challenged the state government by saying that the saints and seers would go on the ‘parikrama’ (circumambulation of sacred places) in peaceful manner as per schedule despite the ban.
’The saints will not hesitate to protest or go the jail if prevented,’ he warned.
He said as scheduled the ‘parikrama’ would take place in five districts namely Faizabad, Gonda, Bahraich, Basti and Ambedkarnagar covering about 300 kms during, in which 40 public meetings would take place.
About 150 saints and dharmacharyas have been invited from each state for the ‘parikrama’. They would stage a peaceful demonstration and offer arrest if they are prevented from participating in the ‘parikrama’, senior VHP leader said. Swami Chinmayanand disputed the reason of law and order over the ban saying the ‘parikrama’ was always meant to be peaceful and was not likely to disturb harmony of the state.
He said that the delegation of VHP which met SP chief and the UP CM on 17 August was assured of favourable decision and felt cheated when the ban was announced. ‘The problem with the Akhilesh government is that it is being run by Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi and Mohd Azam Khan in Lucknow,’ he said.
The Faizabad district administration has already enforced prohibitory orders under section 144 of Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC).
The breach of peace and danger to status quo order of the Supreme Court at disputed Ram Janambhumi site was cited as the reason behind the prohibitory orders. It may be recalled that the principal secretary (home) R M Srivastava and director general of police (DGP) Dev Raj Nagar had jointly announced the ban on 84-kosi parikrama from 25 August due to law and order reasons. They also mentioned that as per the apex court order status quo had to be maintained at disputed Ayodhya site and the parikrama could pose danger to it.
Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lent out its support to the VHP on its proposed 84-kosi yatra. UP BJP president, Laxmikant Bajpai, here said that his party would give full support to the VHP on whatever decision they take over the proposed yatra, banned by the Samajwadi Party government.
(With PTI inputs)
UP chief minister, Akhilesh Yadav, however, reiterated his government’s stand stating in the state capital on Tuesday, that the maintainence of law and order had already spelled out as their reason behind the ban. The government also said that if VHP continues with its plan of ‘Chaurasi Kosi Yatra’ despite denial of permission, it may seal boundaries of the six districts through which the pilgrimage is proposed, besides making arrangements to stop people from reaching Ayodhya.
IG (law and order) R K Vishwakarma said a tight vigil will be maintained in the districts of Faizabad, Basti, Barabanki, Gonda, Bahraich and Ambedkar Nagar and people including saints and seers, will be prevented from reaching Ayodhya. A detailed plan in this regard is being worked out and proper coordination will be ensured between the railway, bus and air authorities.
Vishwakarma said 10 companies of RAF were received by the state for Eid and they are available till 21 August, but it seek extension of their stay.
Senior Vishwa Hindu Parishad functionary Swami Chinmayanand, in a press conference in Ayodhya, challenged the state government by saying that the saints and seers would go on the ‘parikrama’ (circumambulation of sacred places) in peaceful manner as per schedule despite the ban.
’The saints will not hesitate to protest or go the jail if prevented,’ he warned.
He said as scheduled the ‘parikrama’ would take place in five districts namely Faizabad, Gonda, Bahraich, Basti and Ambedkarnagar covering about 300 kms during, in which 40 public meetings would take place.
About 150 saints and dharmacharyas have been invited from each state for the ‘parikrama’. They would stage a peaceful demonstration and offer arrest if they are prevented from participating in the ‘parikrama’, senior VHP leader said. Swami Chinmayanand disputed the reason of law and order over the ban saying the ‘parikrama’ was always meant to be peaceful and was not likely to disturb harmony of the state.
He said that the delegation of VHP which met SP chief and the UP CM on 17 August was assured of favourable decision and felt cheated when the ban was announced. ‘The problem with the Akhilesh government is that it is being run by Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi and Mohd Azam Khan in Lucknow,’ he said.
The Faizabad district administration has already enforced prohibitory orders under section 144 of Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC).
The breach of peace and danger to status quo order of the Supreme Court at disputed Ram Janambhumi site was cited as the reason behind the prohibitory orders. It may be recalled that the principal secretary (home) R M Srivastava and director general of police (DGP) Dev Raj Nagar had jointly announced the ban on 84-kosi parikrama from 25 August due to law and order reasons. They also mentioned that as per the apex court order status quo had to be maintained at disputed Ayodhya site and the parikrama could pose danger to it.
Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lent out its support to the VHP on its proposed 84-kosi yatra. UP BJP president, Laxmikant Bajpai, here said that his party would give full support to the VHP on whatever decision they take over the proposed yatra, banned by the Samajwadi Party government.
(With PTI inputs)
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