Mohan Bhagwat criticises those who have questioned Ayodhya verdict

NEW DELHI: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has criticised those who have questioned the Allahabad high court judgement in the Ayodhya title suit, saying he found it strange that his organisation was being pilloried for welcoming the verdict.

``Till the pronouncement of verdict, we were often asked, will you abide by the HC decision. The verdict was not at all against anyone, but, of course, some people were not expecting it,’’ Mr Bhagwat said during his annual Dussehra rally at Reshim Bagh in Nagpur on Sunday. Noted musician Hridaynath Mangeshkar was the chief guest at the public meeting.

``Its a question of seeking votes from a certain quarter,’’ he said warning Hindus to be beware of such people. The RSS chief was alluding to attempts by outfits such as the Samajwadi Party and the Lok Janshakti Party to use the judgement to woo back Muslims.

The Allahabad high court judgement, according to Mr Bhagwat, was an opportunity presented by destiny to every section of society, particularly Muslims in the country for a new beginning in the spirit of affectionate co-existence.

``Ram Mandir is our pride and there are hundreds of Ram Mandirs in the county, but Ayodhya is significant, since it is the birth place of Lord Rama,’’ Mr Bhagwat said, claiming that it was a national monument demolished by then rulers to create a ‘new structure’.

``The high court verdict has provided a golden chance to bury our communal differences and march with hands together,’’ he said.

The RSS chief also took strong exception to the use of the term `saffron terror’ or ‘Hindu terror,’ and maintained that terrorism and Hindus could not be related to each other. ``This is an attempt to weaken Hindus in India and appease Muslims.’’

Mr Bhagwat’s remarks were seen as an attack on home minister P Chidambaram for using the term `saffron terror’ recently to describe a series of attacks allegedly orchestrated by some Hindu outfits.
The home minister’s usage of the phrase came under a severe attack from not just the Sangh Parivar but also from the Congress.

``A handful of incidents involving Hindus were reported and for that to blame the entire Hindu community was improper and unjust,’’ Mr Bhagwat said. ``Hindus are generally not involved in terrorism.’’

``These are sinister conspiracy to mislead Hindus through a campaign of lies and defame Hindu saints and noble citizens,’’ the RSS chief said.

Mr Bhagwat said, “the crisis in Kashmir has become serious and complicated since we neglected Baltistan and Gilgit, which has become part of Pakistan. Now China is attempting to encircle India by positioning its Army in these regions.”

The United States is looking for a safe passage from Afghanistan and secure foothold in Kashmir with the help of Pakistan, he alleged.