VHP Sankalp Diwas ban a precautionary step: Congress

The Congress Party on Tuesday praised the Uttar Pradesh Government's decision to ban the Vishwa Hindu Parishad's proposed 'Sankalp Diwas', saying it is a precautionary step to prevent violence in the region.

"It is the job of the state government to keep law and order under control, and if the Uttar Pradesh Government feels law and order in the state is threatened by this rally and it could spread hatred, then they have (every right to) ban it," Congress leader Meem Afzal said.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accused the Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party (SP) Government of engaging in what it called the worst kind of vote bank politics by banning the VHP's 'Sankalp Diwas'.

The Samajwadi Party (SP) Government has banned VHP's 'Sankalp Diwas' fearing a communal flare-up.

The decision was reportedly taken in view of security concerns, especially after the recent communal clashes in Muzaffarnagar and the surrounding areas.

The VHP has given a call to observe 'Sankalp Diwas' in Ram Sewak Puram in Ayodhya to take a resolve for launching an agitation for rebuilding the Ram Temple.