Singhal flays those terming yatra SP-BJP match fixing

VHP leader Ashok Singhal coming out of the guesthouse in Lucknow after the Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court on Monday ordered the release of VHP leaders, who were arrested the previous day. Photo: Arunangsu Roy Chowdhury

Coming down heavily on those terming VHP’s Ayodhya yatra as “match fixing” between Samajwadi Party and Bharatiya Janata Party, Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Ashok Singhal on Monday said it was a ridiculous remark by some “silly” people.

“Some behuda (silly) people are saying the yatra is a match fixing between SP and BJP. This is totally behudgi (ridiculous).

“I am saying

behuda because these people do not know anything about the culture of the country,” he told reporters at the guest here before he was released by police.

Mr. Singhal and other top VHP leaders were arrested by the Uttar Pradesh administration in a massive crackdown to foil the saffron outfit’s yatra which was symbolically launched in Ayodhya on Monday.

Mr. Singhal alleged the the SP supremo was only concerned about his party’s Muslim vote-bank.

“Leadership of the Muslims has been hijacked by the Samajwadi Party,” he said.

Mr. Singhal said he was not given any indication that the yatra would be banned during his meeting with Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and Mulayam Singh.

He said the yatra was given exaggerated publicity.

Attempts were underway to destroy the Indian culture, Mr. Singhal said adding saints were fighting against this and were being attacked.