01-09-2006, 03:15 AM
Title : VHP bent upon stoking fires in Mathura and Varanasi
Author : Dr. S. Ausaf Saied Vasfi
Publication : Radiance Viewsweekly
Date : March 2-8, 1997
The oncoming agitation for the templisation of mosques at Mathura
and Varanasi is not because the agitator are brimming with devoting
for lord Rama and lord Krishna. The entire process is an essay in
gaining power at the Centre. How to drive home this double-talk and
double-deal to an average Hindu is the point, opines Dr. S. Ausaf
Saied Vasfi.
The Sangh Parivar not only appears to be believing in "holding with
the hare and running with the hounds," but also a practitioner of
the fine art of duplicity. This is clear from the statements of the
Parivar's various units.
That apart, if you go deeper, you would, to your utter dismay, find
that agitation for the templisation of the mosque at Ayodhya was
launched. and the oncoming agitation for the templisation of
mosques at Mathura and Varanasi is going to be launched not because
the agitators are brimming with devotion for lord Rama and lord
Krishna. The entire process is an essay in gaining power at the
Centre.
How to drive home this double-talk and double-deal to ail average
Hindu is the point.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stalwarts. Mr. L. K. Advani and
Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, in January last, apparently, perhaps for
public consumption. made it clear to the Vishwa Hindu Parishad
(VHP) General Secretary. Mr. Ashok Singhal that the party would
not involve itself in the nation-wide movement. planned by the
Parishad for the templisation of the Eidgah at Mathura. They went
to the extent of conveying their manifestly noble feelings to their
inspiration, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leaders, who
have maintained a discreet rather studied silence on the volatile
issue. Mr. Vajpayee did also make it clear that in their
individual capacity the BJP members are free to join the VHP
sponsored movement for the 'liberation' of Mathura and Kashi!
Reasons Or Reservations
The BJP spokesmen have also given reasons rather reservations
behind their refusal - read reluctance - to support the VHP
programme of agitation, scheduled to begin from Mathura in March.
Their reasoning is that with a view to maintaining, the facade of a
responsible political party, waiting for its date with power, they
cannot afford to publicly associate themselves with such an
agitation.
On the other hand, the VHP leadership has, perhaps, in its
off-the-guard may continue to publicly deny that Mathura and
Varanasi are not on its agenda. But that is an "illusion" When the
VHP builds up a forceful movement, the BJP will jump in and exploit
the issue politically to the hilt. A section of the BJP's Uttar
Pradesh unit is of the view that an effective shrine campaign alone
could consolidate its base among the OBCs and give the party a much
needed boost.
"Without another emotive issue swaying the voters it is not
possible for us to cover the gap between our present strength and a
clear majority in the state," said a local BJP leader disagreeing
with the position of the party's central leadership.
The Understanding
We Muslims feel that there is a too obvious understanding between
the BJP and VHP, reached under the ever-alert stewardship of the
RSS. There is the Places of Worship Act which has to be shown some
respect. It can wait to be ultimately over-turned till they come
to power. They do not want to reinforce the impression in public
mind that the BJP can, so soon associate itself with any parochial
agitation that can be interpreted as unlawful. The VHP, now
determined to expand towards Jammu & Kashmir and the North-east.
perhaps realizes that whatever its mischief potential in the Hindi
heartland, it cannot achieve its targets, unless the BJP comes to
Power at the Centre. The VHP has in its ranks the Uma Bhartis and
the Sadhavi Rithambharas and the likes of the Vinay Katyars who
would do everything to compel the BJP to shed its feigned
reluctance. The VHP spokesmen have openly reiterated that the
foundation of the BJP rests on its Hindutva ideology and you can
certainly not forget your basis. Political untouchability, a strong
argument of the "reservationists" would not be a dominant factor if
the BJP, they argue, can get a majority on its own and that would
be possible only if we incite "Hindu religious passions," explained
the other day a VHP leader to the press persons.
Snap Polls
Add to this scenario, the reading of the political situation of the
VHP leadership: "We are expecting snap polls any time this year,
hence we do not wish to waste time in starting the movement.
According to us, it would be an ideal situation if the liberation
movement reaches its peak around the same time as the mid-term
elections. That would enable the BJP to extract maximum advantage
from the situation." That this tone and tenor clearly hint at the
VHP-BJP understanding, is beside the point. What has to be noted
is the scale on which the agitation for the "liberation of Krishna
Janmabhoomi" is come, to be launched. The VHP plans to start a
vigorous membership drive to create the cadres (read kar sevaks)
that will take on the work. The VHP plans to raise over Rs. 1 00
crores over the next couple of years to create a corpus fund for
launching a Krishna Janmabhoomi agitation. For the present, the
"awareness" campaign would cover the 'brijbhoomi' districts of Agra
and Mathura. The VHP hopes to enrol] five lakh "life associates".
each donating Rs. 2000, over the next couple of years. Besides
,patrons" would be asked to donate Rs. 1 lakh, and "special
associates" Rs 10,000. Ordinary members would subscribe Rs. 12
each. The VHP hopes to get in place 10,000 wholetime workers very
soon, and they would be "propagating" the VHP view on the issue as
full time activity.
Precedent
For one week in March, 200 'sadhus' would lead processions in
Mathura and Agra districts, creating an "awareness" among the
people. The VHP, mark it, does not think that President's Rule in
Uttar Pradesh would affect its plans as we see in the case of
post-demolition Ayodhya when despite President's rule. a makeshift
Hindu temple was constructed at the ruins of the Babri Masjid on
December 7-8. 1992!
As a test case the VHP has launched an agitation to stop prayers at
a mosque at Dhar in Madhya Pradesh. It says its presiding deity
Saraswati, which currently is in a British museum. would be brought
back and reinstalled at what it calls Bhojshala. So far the VHP
there has not succeeded in destabilising the communal harmony.
As the matters stand. there is perfect communal harmony at Mathura
and Varanasi also. But so was the case in Ayodhya. Therefore to
think that there would be no takers of the VHP case in the
currently peaceful townships is too simplistic. The agitators are
usually brought from outside.
The Sangh Parivar's mood is, once again, upbeat following the
success of their alliance with the Akalis in Punjab. The biennial
election results too have boosted their sagging morale.
What one does not see in the secular parties is the passion and
devotion with which the Parivarists worm their way into our plural
body politik. The 13 United Front parties had (lot an ideal
opportunity to put communalism on the defensive and popularise
egalitarian values at all levels. But here too Mr. Deve Gowda
disappointed his admirers. Exposure of the duplicity of Hindutva
is the need of the hour. In fact, it is long over-due.
Author : Dr. S. Ausaf Saied Vasfi
Publication : Radiance Viewsweekly
Date : March 2-8, 1997
The oncoming agitation for the templisation of mosques at Mathura
and Varanasi is not because the agitator are brimming with devoting
for lord Rama and lord Krishna. The entire process is an essay in
gaining power at the Centre. How to drive home this double-talk and
double-deal to an average Hindu is the point, opines Dr. S. Ausaf
Saied Vasfi.
The Sangh Parivar not only appears to be believing in "holding with
the hare and running with the hounds," but also a practitioner of
the fine art of duplicity. This is clear from the statements of the
Parivar's various units.
That apart, if you go deeper, you would, to your utter dismay, find
that agitation for the templisation of the mosque at Ayodhya was
launched. and the oncoming agitation for the templisation of
mosques at Mathura and Varanasi is going to be launched not because
the agitators are brimming with devotion for lord Rama and lord
Krishna. The entire process is an essay in gaining power at the
Centre.
How to drive home this double-talk and double-deal to ail average
Hindu is the point.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stalwarts. Mr. L. K. Advani and
Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, in January last, apparently, perhaps for
public consumption. made it clear to the Vishwa Hindu Parishad
(VHP) General Secretary. Mr. Ashok Singhal that the party would
not involve itself in the nation-wide movement. planned by the
Parishad for the templisation of the Eidgah at Mathura. They went
to the extent of conveying their manifestly noble feelings to their
inspiration, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leaders, who
have maintained a discreet rather studied silence on the volatile
issue. Mr. Vajpayee did also make it clear that in their
individual capacity the BJP members are free to join the VHP
sponsored movement for the 'liberation' of Mathura and Kashi!
Reasons Or Reservations
The BJP spokesmen have also given reasons rather reservations
behind their refusal - read reluctance - to support the VHP
programme of agitation, scheduled to begin from Mathura in March.
Their reasoning is that with a view to maintaining, the facade of a
responsible political party, waiting for its date with power, they
cannot afford to publicly associate themselves with such an
agitation.
On the other hand, the VHP leadership has, perhaps, in its
off-the-guard may continue to publicly deny that Mathura and
Varanasi are not on its agenda. But that is an "illusion" When the
VHP builds up a forceful movement, the BJP will jump in and exploit
the issue politically to the hilt. A section of the BJP's Uttar
Pradesh unit is of the view that an effective shrine campaign alone
could consolidate its base among the OBCs and give the party a much
needed boost.
"Without another emotive issue swaying the voters it is not
possible for us to cover the gap between our present strength and a
clear majority in the state," said a local BJP leader disagreeing
with the position of the party's central leadership.
The Understanding
We Muslims feel that there is a too obvious understanding between
the BJP and VHP, reached under the ever-alert stewardship of the
RSS. There is the Places of Worship Act which has to be shown some
respect. It can wait to be ultimately over-turned till they come
to power. They do not want to reinforce the impression in public
mind that the BJP can, so soon associate itself with any parochial
agitation that can be interpreted as unlawful. The VHP, now
determined to expand towards Jammu & Kashmir and the North-east.
perhaps realizes that whatever its mischief potential in the Hindi
heartland, it cannot achieve its targets, unless the BJP comes to
Power at the Centre. The VHP has in its ranks the Uma Bhartis and
the Sadhavi Rithambharas and the likes of the Vinay Katyars who
would do everything to compel the BJP to shed its feigned
reluctance. The VHP spokesmen have openly reiterated that the
foundation of the BJP rests on its Hindutva ideology and you can
certainly not forget your basis. Political untouchability, a strong
argument of the "reservationists" would not be a dominant factor if
the BJP, they argue, can get a majority on its own and that would
be possible only if we incite "Hindu religious passions," explained
the other day a VHP leader to the press persons.
Snap Polls
Add to this scenario, the reading of the political situation of the
VHP leadership: "We are expecting snap polls any time this year,
hence we do not wish to waste time in starting the movement.
According to us, it would be an ideal situation if the liberation
movement reaches its peak around the same time as the mid-term
elections. That would enable the BJP to extract maximum advantage
from the situation." That this tone and tenor clearly hint at the
VHP-BJP understanding, is beside the point. What has to be noted
is the scale on which the agitation for the "liberation of Krishna
Janmabhoomi" is come, to be launched. The VHP plans to start a
vigorous membership drive to create the cadres (read kar sevaks)
that will take on the work. The VHP plans to raise over Rs. 1 00
crores over the next couple of years to create a corpus fund for
launching a Krishna Janmabhoomi agitation. For the present, the
"awareness" campaign would cover the 'brijbhoomi' districts of Agra
and Mathura. The VHP hopes to enrol] five lakh "life associates".
each donating Rs. 2000, over the next couple of years. Besides
,patrons" would be asked to donate Rs. 1 lakh, and "special
associates" Rs 10,000. Ordinary members would subscribe Rs. 12
each. The VHP hopes to get in place 10,000 wholetime workers very
soon, and they would be "propagating" the VHP view on the issue as
full time activity.
Precedent
For one week in March, 200 'sadhus' would lead processions in
Mathura and Agra districts, creating an "awareness" among the
people. The VHP, mark it, does not think that President's Rule in
Uttar Pradesh would affect its plans as we see in the case of
post-demolition Ayodhya when despite President's rule. a makeshift
Hindu temple was constructed at the ruins of the Babri Masjid on
December 7-8. 1992!
As a test case the VHP has launched an agitation to stop prayers at
a mosque at Dhar in Madhya Pradesh. It says its presiding deity
Saraswati, which currently is in a British museum. would be brought
back and reinstalled at what it calls Bhojshala. So far the VHP
there has not succeeded in destabilising the communal harmony.
As the matters stand. there is perfect communal harmony at Mathura
and Varanasi also. But so was the case in Ayodhya. Therefore to
think that there would be no takers of the VHP case in the
currently peaceful townships is too simplistic. The agitators are
usually brought from outside.
The Sangh Parivar's mood is, once again, upbeat following the
success of their alliance with the Akalis in Punjab. The biennial
election results too have boosted their sagging morale.
What one does not see in the secular parties is the passion and
devotion with which the Parivarists worm their way into our plural
body politik. The 13 United Front parties had (lot an ideal
opportunity to put communalism on the defensive and popularise
egalitarian values at all levels. But here too Mr. Deve Gowda
disappointed his admirers. Exposure of the duplicity of Hindutva
is the need of the hour. In fact, it is long over-due.