Author: PTI
Publication: The Free Press Journal
Date: July 6, 2003
Echoing VHP's stridently, the RSS
on Saturday demanded 'handing over of Ayodhya, Kashi and Mathura to Hindus
either through negotiation or legislation and asked the Muslims to give
up their claim over these places of worship, reports PTI.
The demand was contained in a resolution
adopted unanimously on the opening day of the two-day National Executive
meeting of the RSS with all the leaders of the other Sangh Parivar outfits
like VHP supporting it, RSS spokesman Ram Madhav told reporters
here
He said RSS was for an early solution
but was not in a hurry. There should not be any hurry in enacting
a legislation without satisfying either of the parties involved.
Madhav said the RSS understood the
difficulties of the BJP as it did not have the required numbers in Parliament.
The RSS demand assumes significance
ahead of the crucial meeting of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board
in Lucknow on Sunday to consider Kanchi Shankaracharya's proposals on the
Ayodhya issue and in the backdrop of heightened VHP campaign in favour
of a legislation for "restoring" the three temples to Hindus.
Ahead of the start of meeting, VHP
International President Ashok Singhal reiterated his demand for Prime Minister
Atal Behari Vajpayee's resignation for "failure" to get a legislation
enacted for construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya.
Madhav said the resolution seeking
to give a "direction" to the RSS cadres reiterated the support to the three
temples - "Ayodhya, Kashi and Mathura".
We fully support the countrywide
movement for resurrection of three temples. It should not be seen
as a Hindu-Muslim dispute but as a matter of nation's self-respect.
"Ayodhya, Kashi and Mathura should
be handed over to the Hindus either through negotiation or through a legislation,"
he said adding VHP would seek the support of MPs approaching them individually
in their constituency for the demand.
The meeting is also attended by
VHP International General Secretary Pravin Togadia and former BJP
President Kushabhau Thakre.
Madhav referred to the "just demand
of the Hindu community" for restoration of the holy shrines of Ayodhya,
Mathura and Kashi to them saying "Lord Ram, Lord Krishna and Lord Shankar
symbolised India's age-old civilization, culture and spiritual identity."
Asked about the VHP's strident demand
for legislation on Ayodhya, Madhav said, "there should not be any hurry
in enacting a legislation without satisfying either of the parties involved."