Khurshid asks VHP leaders to move Supreme Court rather than defying prohibitory orders

External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid on Sunday asked the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leaders presently courting arrest during the 'Chaurasi Kosi Parikrama Yatra' to move the Supreme Court rather than defying the prohibitory orders issued by the Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party (SP) Government in Uttar Pradesh.

"The High Court has given a judgement. If one is not satisfied with the High Court's judgement, he should move the Supreme Court. If the High Court has given a judgement, there is no room for debate," Khurshid told media here.

"It is for the State government to decide what is right and wrong and they are acting accordingly. .... those who are not satisfied should approach the Supreme Court. We must be sensitive on matters concerning religion," he added.

Setting the stage for a confrontation with the Uttar Pradesh Government, the VHP inaugurated its 'Chaurasi Kosi Parikrama Yatra' from Ayodhya today, amidst a massive crackdown launched by the administration, in which over 500 people, including two VHP leaders, former BJP MP and a sitting MLA, have been arrested.

Ayodhya has been turned into a fortress to prevent any unwanted entry. Sources say that scores of VHP activists have been arrested from Chandauli, Faizabad, Sant Kabir Nagar and other places.

There is no public involvement in this Yatra as most of the people chose to remain indoors, especially in the Yatra affected six districts.

The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court had yesterday dismissed a plea for allowing the 'Chaurasi Kosi Parikrama Yatra', stating that there is a possibility of tension and upheld restrictions.