The Hindu : 'Arrest VHP leaders under POTA'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Feb 25, 2003

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'Arrest VHP leaders under POTA'

By Our New Delhi Bureau

NEW DELHI FEB. 24. An impromptu discussion on the Vishwa Hindu Parishad-led `Dharam Sansad', and the parishad's demand of an early construction of the Ram temple saw the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Opposition clash in both houses of Parliament today.

In the Lok Sabha, Opposition members sought the arrest of VHP leaders under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) for making inflammatory statements at the `Sansad'. The veteran CPI(M) leader, Somnath Chatterjee, said the conduct and speeches at the `Sansad' of the `sants' were a fit case for attracting POTA against them. A demand for a CBI probe into the antecedents of the sadhus was made by Shamlal Tewari of the Congress.

In the Rajya Sabha, heated exchanges between the two sides forced the House to adjourn twice in the post lunch session. The issue arose after the BJP objected to Kapil Sibal of the Congress making a reference to the Ayodhya issue. The treasury benches claimed the issue was sub judice.

The issue was raised in the Lok Sabha during zero hour by several BJP members. They wanted the Government to take cognisance of the `sadhus' and `sants' who had gathered at Jantar Mantar to pressure the Government on the Ayodhya issue. The discussion got vitiated, with Ram Nagina Misra (BJP) accusing the Opposition parties, specially the Left parties, of being ``anti-god, anti-religion and enemies of the nation''. He also asked for the Congress' help in temple construction ``just as it had facilitated the opening of the locks''.

Mr. Mishra's outburst had the Opposition members on their feet. Mr. Chatterjee deplored the manner in which senior Ministers ``sat watching'' without trying to prevent the BJP members from talking in that manner. ``In the name of the unity of this country please prevent these divisive activities. The Government must immediately end the activities of the `Dharam Sansad', he said.

The Congress member, P.R. Dasmunsi, said all that the Congress had done was to follow court directions. ``Our position is clear. We will follow the order of the court.'' There were some anti- social elements masquerading as `sadhus'.In the Rajya Sabha, the treasury benches repeatedly interrupted Mr. Sibal, who, during the discussion on motion of thanks to the President's address, accused the ruling party of indulging in ``the politics of cow'', distribution of `trishuls' and making references to the eating habits of people.

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