Hindu saints not safe in the country: Singhal

LUCKNOW: Citing the example of Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, who was arrested by the Maharashtra ATS in connection with the Malegaon blast, the VHP on Friday said Hindu saints are not safe in the country.

Talking to reporters here today VHP Chief Ashok Singhal questioned the justification of repeated narco-tests conducted on the Sadhvi and alleged that this, coupled with the coinage of a word like "Hindu terrorism", is an attempt to malign Hindu religion and culture.

"The saints in this country are not safe, the repeated narco-test done on Sadhvi Pragya in connection with the Malegaon blast case and coining of the word Hindu terrorism are nothing but to defame the Hindu religion and civilisation."

Asserting that Indian culture is under attack with infiltration from across the country's borders crossing the figure of three crore, he said the VHP will organise a Sant (saint) yatra in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar to awaken people to the dangers of cultural invasion.

Calling India a spriritual nation, he said it was due to its combination of religion and culture that the country was known all over the world.

On the Ramjanmabhoomi dispute, Singhal said, "We want the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya and that could be done only through an act of Parliament."

He also added the Lok Jagriti programmes will also be orgainsed by the VHP at places having a population of over one lakh throughout the state.