VHP says no agitation on Ram Janamabhoomi issue until 2019 Lok Sabha elections 

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad on Tuesday, February 5, announced that it will not agitate on the Ram Janamabhoomi issue for the next four months until the 2019 general elections are over. This development comes after the organisation which had organised dharma sabhas across the country demanding an ordinance to enable construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya. Last week, VHP had organised a dharma sansad on the issue in Kumbh Mela.

The decision was announced at the recent Dharma Sansad in Prayagraj, the Vihswa Hindu Parishad said.

This announcement has come nearly a week after NDA government moved the Supreme Court seeking permission to return the 67 acres of land in Ayodhya, adjacent to the disputed site, to its original owners including the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas.

According to a report in the The Indian Express, VHP international working president Alok Kumar said: “We will not do any agitational programme in next four months. It has been decided because everybody has a feeling that such agitations at the time of elections, including the demand of building a Ram temple, become a petty electoral issue and get involved into politics. It was felt that this issue should be saved from politics for the next four months.”

On being asked about VHP’s stand, if the Supreme Court delivers a verdict, Alok Kumar said, “Our plan is irrespective of the court order. If there is any emergency situation, then we will take guidance from the sants,”.

Even if the apex court proceedings are delayed, that, too, will not affect the VHP’s decision, he added.

Surendra Jain, Joint general secretary of VHP has welcomed the central government’s step to move the apex court to get the 67 acre land, adjacent to the disputed site.

“Now if we announce any agitation or movement, it will be said that we are doing that to help a particular political party in elections. We do not want this holy movement to become a political issue. Hence, it has been decided that no situation of conflict or misconception will be allowed during the elections… we do not want to allow anyone to drag this issue into politics,” said Surendra Jain.

After four months, the VHP will review the situation and plan its next step,

Alok Kumar also said that the VHP will review the situation after four months and decided the next step. “We will do mass awakening programme but not any agitation. We want a consensus on the issue.”