Ashok Singhal targets Mulayam for backtracking on his assurances

Says SP has made an unnecessarily made a huge issue out of this

Hours after the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court dismissed a petition for allowing the '84-Kosi Parikrama Yatra', Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) President Ashok Singhal on Saturday said the Samajwadi Party has unnecessarily made a huge issue out of this, and questioned the state government on whether it is a crime for saints to take part in a procession such as this.

"When I had a word with Mulayam Singh, I told him this is a small Yatra and he sounded positive. Around 200 people will go for the Yatra everyday. I don't understand why they have deployed 30 companies here (Ayodhya) when it can be done with the help of 12 police officials. We don't understand why they have made it an issue. With Mulayam Singh's conversation, I didn't feel that this Yatra will be cancelled," he said.

"I'm unable to understand why they have put a ban on this yatra. If they had to maintain law and order, they shouldn't have deployed the forces. If saints want to come and do Parikrama then what crime are they doing?" he questioned.

Earlier in the day, the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court dismissed a plea for allowing 84-Kosi parikrama yatra, stating that there is a possibility of tension, and added that the restriction will be maintained.

A delegation of Hindu saints led by Singhal had met Mulayam Singh Yadav last week, and asked him to convince Muslim leaders, clerics and ulemas to pave way for the construction of the Ram Temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya.

The saints had after the meeting which was also attended by Akhilesh Yadav claimed that the Samajwadi Party chief had accepted their request. They also said that they had asked Akhilesh Yadav to provide adequate support and security for the "Chaurasi Kosi Parikrama" (a religious march) in Ayodhya and adjoining districts beginning on August 25.

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad has vowed to kick off its 'Chaurasi Kosi Parikrama' around Ayodhya to revive its demand for a Ram temple.

The Samajwadi Party government has banned the proposed Yatra, as a preemptive measure against communal flare-up, and put in place elaborate security arrangements by rushing in 10 companies of the Rapid Action Force (RSF) and 12 companies of the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC).