As the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance government gets ready to roll out its agenda pivoted around good governance and development, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad is confident that its aspirations of a Ram Temple in Ayodhya and a ban on cow slaughter will be met within the framework of the Constitution.
On Saturday, Ashok Singhal, head of the VHP, said he was confident that the Narendra Modi-led government would meet the aspirations of the people who wanted to see not only a revival of Hindutva but development on all fronts.
The VHP seemed assured that controversial issues like the Ram Temple would be accomplished under the new regime. The VHP chief also said work related to the rejuvenation of the Ganga and other “holy rivers” would be undertaken. Explaining the rationale behind seeking a ban on cow slaughter, Mr. Singhal said cow manure formed the basis of organic farming that was gaining popularity . “… we need a white revolution; we need milk for children. Banning cow slaughter will secure the future of our children. And all of this can be done within the Constitutional framework.”
Unhappy about the government controlling temple trusts, the VHP wants the Modi government to reverse the practice.
Incidentally, the VHP, which has always taken a hard line towards Pakistan, accused the previous governments of letting India’s relations with the neighbouring countries like Nepal and Sri Lanka turn sour. The VHP chief approved of the BJP’s invitation to Pakistan and other SAARC members to attend Mr. Modi’s swearing-in ceremony on Monday. He said, “It is important … we have to check our behaviour. Nepal and Sri Lanka didn’t drift away, we created rifts. In the last 60 years we widened the gaps. It is time to bridge those.”
Asked whether he approved of Pakistan being invited to attend the swearing-in, Mr. Singhal said in 1990 there was a unanimous resolution passed in Parliament that said the Kashmir dispute could be solved by reclaiming the part of Kashmir that was under Pakistan’s control. He described the invitation to Pakistan as a “formality.”
