GO TO SOURCE


AYODHYA, INDIA, March 11, 2002: In a major climbdown, the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas, spearheading the temple movement, on Monday virtually dropped plans for a bhoomi pujan near the disputed site in Ayodhya and announced a scaled down program for March 15. In a day of conflicting signals emanating from Nyas-VHP circles, Nyas Chief Mahant Ramchandra Das Paramhans said, he would “donate” a shila (carved stone) to the “Receiver” of the disputed site (the government) for construction of the Ram Temple. “We had thought the Ram Janmabhoomi would be handed over to us by March 12 and we would go there on March 15 with shilas to begin the construction work,” RJN president Ramchandra Das Paramhans said here. “But Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee failed to hand over the land,” he said, adding: “We will not go to others’ land for sangarsh (struggle) or take law into our hands.” However, on way to Ayodhya, VHP International Working President Singhal told reporters in Lucknow that the puja will be conducted within 67 acres of the acquired land. Singhal, who met Uttar Pradesh Governor Vishnukant Shastri, was given permission by the state government to visit the temple town.

Post Views: 215