84-Kosi parikrama today: SP readies for sadhus march in Ayodha, over 330 VHP activists arrested | |
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 The VHP activists were picked up from places such as Kanpur, Maharajganj, Fatehpur and Mughalsarai. Of the total arrests, 75 were reported from Faizabad and 88 were held in Ayodhya. Sadhus were detained in Mathura and Agra while trying to board trains for participating in the proposed yatra . Police said more arrests are likely to take place on Sunday morning.  While VHP leader Swami Chinmayanand was put under house arrest in his ashram in Shahjahanpur, state intelligence officials were sent to Delhi to keep a watch on the movement of VHP chief Ashok Singhal. Taking no chances, the state administration has divided Faizabad district into 17 sectors and 43 sub- sectors. Each sector and sub- sector will be managed by a magistrate and a gazetted officer.  Stranded Hundreds of vehicles were stranded on the roads as the administration has sealed all the entry points in the district. Ayodhya, the epicentre of the SP Vishwa Hindu Parishad's yatra , wore a deserted look on Saturday as shopkeepers downed their shutters and devotees left the town. Curfew- like situation prevailed in the holy town where heavy police presence made it presence felt through flag marches. Activists assembled in 18 mutts across Ayodhya have been put under house arrest. Barring old sadhu s who stayed back in the temples and ashram s, the younger lot left the temple town fearing arrest. Devotees staying in over 300 ashram s in and around Hanuman Garhi area were asked by the police to leave the town. Faizabad District Magistrate Vipin Kumar Dwivedi said the faithful coming to take holy dip in Saryu river will not be stopped. " I am sure that there will be no violence. It will pass without any untoward incident. The devotees coming to take bath in Saryu will not be stopped. But those coming here for parikrama will be arrested," he said. In Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh Police chief Deoraj Nagar inspected security arrangements, besides checking out CCTVs installed at more than 40 places in and around the temple town. " We are prepared to detain those people who violate the prohibitory order under Section 144 of the CrPC," he said. On their toes Meanwhile, police officers are keeping their fingers crossed over the day passing peacefully without any untoward incident. " Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has asked us to ensure that no sadhu is hurt. But the problem is that many of them are violent. Let us see what order we receive at the eleventh hour," an officer said. Parikrama planned at Kumbh The VHP had taken a decision to take out 84-Kosi Parikrama just before the 2014 Lok Sabha elections during Maha Kumbh in Allahabad in February this year. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, BJP president Rajnath Singh and VHP chief Ashok Singhal attended the Dharma Sansad which was held on February 7. The VHP had passed a resolution to conduct parikrama to " re- establish Hindu identity." Though some sadhu s pointed out that the state government wouldn't allow this, the saffron leaders said they didn't need any permission. VHP spokesperson Sharad Sharma said: " The Congress government in 1992 had given an affidavit in the SC that Ram temple can be constructed if any evidence of a temple was found during excavation. The Allahabad High Court has confirmed that several agencies have found the remains of a temple in the womb of the earth." It was decided that the parikrama would be held from August 25 to September 13 and then religious rituals would be started for construction of Ram temple from September 14, the day when the Centre had submitted the affidavit in the SC. SP tries to use sadhu pawns to foil yatra By Piyush Srivastava in Ayodhya The ruling Samajwadi Party is trying every trick in the book to foil the VHP's proposed 84- Kosi Parikrama around Ayodhya. A day before the launch of the 20- day- long parikrama , which the Akhilesh Yadav- led government has banned but the saffron organisation is adamant to go ahead with, the SP on Saturday unsuccessfully tried to use some sadhu s as a political pawn to derail the VHP's programme. SP MLA from Ayodhya and minister of state for entertainment tax, Tej Narayan Pandey, called a press conference at the party's office in the town where he produced some sadhu s and introduced them as critics of the parikrama . However, Swami Raghunath Deshik, Mahant of Sri Peetham Ram Kot, left the place midway. Later, when asked, the Mahant alleged he had been brought there forcibly. " I don't want to create any controversy and dislike politics over Ram Janmabhoomi. We welcome whosoever is genuinely interested in building the temple. But it is none of my job to attend a political press conference. I was brought here forcefully," he told M AIL T ODAY . Another sadhu who didn't want to be named, said, " They had brought seven sadhu s and told us that the minister wanted to meet us. But when we realised that it was a press conference, four of us silently left." The minister also produced Mahant Gaya Das, who has organised 84- Kosi Parikrama in the past. Das claimed that VHP chief Ashok Singhal had held a meeting with him in Karsewakpuram in Ayodhya on July 19 and asked to help him in the programme. " But I refused because it was against Hindu religion to organise such a programme in monsoon season," he said. Reacting sharply to the SP hobnobbing with sadhu s, VHP spokesperson Sharad Sharma said, " They are kidnapping the sadhu s and forcing them to speak against us. They are also misinforming the people. Singhal has never held a meeting with Das. Some VHP workers were in touch with Das and wanted him to help us in drawing the map of parikrama . That was his only role." On the other hand, Mitrasen Yadav, SP MLA from Bikapur in Faizabad, and Abhay Singh, SP MLA from Gosaiganj in the district, were seen visiting mutts and meeting sadhu s throughout the day. |
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/vhp-84-kosi-parikrama-yatra-begins-ayodhya-uttar-pradesh/1/301222.html
VHP's Parikrama yatra: ex-BJP MP among over 850 held, security tight in Ayodhya
HT Correspondent, Hindustan Times Ayodhya, August 24, 2013First Published: 23:02 IST(24/8/2013) | Last Updated: 08:18 IST(25/8/2013)
Ram Vilas Vedanti, former BJP MP who had threatened to lead the yatra, was arrested from the banks of river Saryu early Sunday morning, the day VHP's Chaurasi Kos Prikrama is supposed to kick-off.
Ram Chandra Vidhayak, MLA from Rudauli, was also arrested along with Vedanti who is a member of VHP's Marg Darshak Mandal.
Further, VHP President Ashok Singhal is expected to reach Lucknow airport at 9:30 am.
The clampdown in Ayodhya and its neighbouring areas had intensified on Saturday, with security forces fanning out across all 75 districts of the state, arresting more than 850 people and stopping non-residents from entering the twin town of Faizabad-Ayodhya.
Undaunted, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad declared it was going ahead with its 20-day Chaurasi Kos Parikrama to push for a Ram temple at the disputed site, overriding the UP government’s ban order. The Lucknow bench of the high court dismissed a PIL demanding lifting of the ban.
Train and bus stations, hotels and guest houses were being checked, and barriers were erected on highways entering UP from other states. The police were also watching VHP leaders at their homes with instructions to arrest them if they came out.
“A statewide alert has been sounded and district officials have been told to take VHP volunteers who defy the ban into custody,” a home department officer said.
“It wasn’t tough spotting VHP volunteers with their saffron clothes,” said a police officer.
By the end of day, several VHP and spiritual leaders, a BJP MLA and hundreds of volunteers had been arrested and put in makeshift jails or placed under house arrest. All boundaries in Ayodhya city area were sealed by 7pm.
In Lucknow, CM Akhilesh Yadav said, “UP doesn’t need such processions. For the last year-and-a-half, the SP has steered the state on the path of progress. But these parties are trying to take the state on some other (communal strife) path.”
http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/UttarPradesh/VHP-s-Parikrama-yatra-ex-BJP-MP-among-over-850-held-security-tight-in-Ayodhya/Article1-1112511.aspx
Across districts, VHP yatra shows a clear BJP hand
Lalmani Verma Posted online: Sun Aug 25 2013, 04:00 hrs
Lucknow : The BJP officially denies its involvement in the 84-kosi parikrama around Ayodhya that the VHP has threatened to start on Sunday despite the state government’s orders not to. However, preparations in Faizabad and the adjoining five districts show a clear involvement of party activists.When asked about the role of the BJP, party national vice-president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said, “That is the programme of the VHP. The BJP only supports it.” BJP state president Laxmikant Bajpai has also denied that they will be associated with the yatra.
However, the party’s Lallu Singh, who was MLA from Ayodhya for 21 years continuously before losing in 2012, has been involved in hectic preparations for the past 15 days. An aspirant for the Faizabad Lok Sabha constituency ticket this time, Singh has been holding meetings every day with the BJP mandal presidents and VHP leaders over movement of saints at the Naya Ghat of Saryu river and Makhauda, from where the yatra is to be formally launched after a havan and a public meeting.
While Singh could not be reached for comment, the BJP Faizabad district president, Ram Krishna Tiwari, said, “Lallu Singh and other party workers are making preparations for the yatra. They are holding meetings regarding arrival of saints, their stay in Ayodhya and other religious rituals.”
In New Delhi, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj called the VHP’s proposed yatra “a fundamental right of a citizen”. “Tension is being created by statements about the yatra,” she said. She also rejected the charge that the controversy was part of a pact between the ruling Samajwadi Party and opposition BJP to polarise sentiments in the run-up to Lok Sabha elections.
The VHP has declared that it will take out the parkirama through six districts, including Faizabad, Basti, Gonda, Bahraich, Barabanki and Ambedkar Nagar. Muslims comprise around 20 per cent of the population in these districts whereas more than 45 per cent voters are from backward castes.
“The BJP expects to get back backward castes votes through the hype that 84-kosi parkirama gets,” admitted a BJP leader.
The police arrested 339 VHP workers and saints from different parts of the state Saturday in order to prevent their movement to Ayodhya. BJP Bahraich MLA Savitri Bai Phule and some sadhus have been put under house arrest in their ashrams, said IG (Law & Order) R K Vishwakarma.
BJP Yuva Morcha state vice-president Rakesh Srivastava also confirmed the party’s participation, saying: “We are ready to take the battle to the administration.” He added that “workers of the Yuva Morcha are working in Ayodhya and adjoining districts. We have to reach Makhaura Sunday morning and ensure that the sadhus start the yatra safely”.
As per the VHP plan, the sadhus would be in Gonda district for the parikrama on September 9 and 10. A BJP office-bearer said they were making preparations for the stay of the sadhus there in temples and ashrams.
Basti district president Laxmi Prasad Shukla also said the priority of party workers was to reach Makhaura at any cost Sunday morning. “That yatra is after all in the interest of the BJP,” he said. The BJP lost from the Basti Lok Sabha seat in 2009 and 2004, after having won it successively earlier.
In Ambedkar Nagar too, where the scheduled dates of the yatra are August 28 and 29, the BJP is fully participating. “We have been asked to help in the arrangements,” said district president Ram Prakash Yadav. While Ambedkar Nagar is adjacent to Ayodhya, the BJP has never won a Lok Sabha election from here.
BJP spokesperson for Gorakhpur region Satyendra Singh said regional president Upendra Nath Shukla, vice-president Durga Rai and Kameshwar Singh left for Ayodhya Saturday with other workers to take part in the padyatra.
To rule out any untoward incidents, Uttar Pradesh DGP Deo Raj Nagar and ADG (Law & Order) Arun Kumar reached Ayodhya Saturday morning and are camping there. They held a meeting with SPs of Faizabad and adjacent districts and also checked security arrangements. Police presence has been beefed up in the districts, including deployment of two SPs, 19 additional SPs and 42 deputy SPs. Also deployed are 23 companies and two platoons of the PAC, and nine companies of the Rapid Action Force.
http://www.indianexpress.com/story-print/1159793/However, the party’s Lallu Singh, who was MLA from Ayodhya for 21 years continuously before losing in 2012, has been involved in hectic preparations for the past 15 days. An aspirant for the Faizabad Lok Sabha constituency ticket this time, Singh has been holding meetings every day with the BJP mandal presidents and VHP leaders over movement of saints at the Naya Ghat of Saryu river and Makhauda, from where the yatra is to be formally launched after a havan and a public meeting.
While Singh could not be reached for comment, the BJP Faizabad district president, Ram Krishna Tiwari, said, “Lallu Singh and other party workers are making preparations for the yatra. They are holding meetings regarding arrival of saints, their stay in Ayodhya and other religious rituals.”
In New Delhi, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj called the VHP’s proposed yatra “a fundamental right of a citizen”. “Tension is being created by statements about the yatra,” she said. She also rejected the charge that the controversy was part of a pact between the ruling Samajwadi Party and opposition BJP to polarise sentiments in the run-up to Lok Sabha elections.
The VHP has declared that it will take out the parkirama through six districts, including Faizabad, Basti, Gonda, Bahraich, Barabanki and Ambedkar Nagar. Muslims comprise around 20 per cent of the population in these districts whereas more than 45 per cent voters are from backward castes.
“The BJP expects to get back backward castes votes through the hype that 84-kosi parkirama gets,” admitted a BJP leader.
The police arrested 339 VHP workers and saints from different parts of the state Saturday in order to prevent their movement to Ayodhya. BJP Bahraich MLA Savitri Bai Phule and some sadhus have been put under house arrest in their ashrams, said IG (Law & Order) R K Vishwakarma.
BJP Yuva Morcha state vice-president Rakesh Srivastava also confirmed the party’s participation, saying: “We are ready to take the battle to the administration.” He added that “workers of the Yuva Morcha are working in Ayodhya and adjoining districts. We have to reach Makhaura Sunday morning and ensure that the sadhus start the yatra safely”.
As per the VHP plan, the sadhus would be in Gonda district for the parikrama on September 9 and 10. A BJP office-bearer said they were making preparations for the stay of the sadhus there in temples and ashrams.
Basti district president Laxmi Prasad Shukla also said the priority of party workers was to reach Makhaura at any cost Sunday morning. “That yatra is after all in the interest of the BJP,” he said. The BJP lost from the Basti Lok Sabha seat in 2009 and 2004, after having won it successively earlier.
In Ambedkar Nagar too, where the scheduled dates of the yatra are August 28 and 29, the BJP is fully participating. “We have been asked to help in the arrangements,” said district president Ram Prakash Yadav. While Ambedkar Nagar is adjacent to Ayodhya, the BJP has never won a Lok Sabha election from here.
BJP spokesperson for Gorakhpur region Satyendra Singh said regional president Upendra Nath Shukla, vice-president Durga Rai and Kameshwar Singh left for Ayodhya Saturday with other workers to take part in the padyatra.
To rule out any untoward incidents, Uttar Pradesh DGP Deo Raj Nagar and ADG (Law & Order) Arun Kumar reached Ayodhya Saturday morning and are camping there. They held a meeting with SPs of Faizabad and adjacent districts and also checked security arrangements. Police presence has been beefed up in the districts, including deployment of two SPs, 19 additional SPs and 42 deputy SPs. Also deployed are 23 companies and two platoons of the PAC, and nine companies of the Rapid Action Force.