Ram temple on VHP’s 53rd foundation day celebration agenda

ALLAHABAD: The two-week long nationwide celebrations of 53rd foundation day of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) commenced on Monday.

In Kashi Pranth of the Parishad, having 19 districts of Uttar Pradesh under its purview, several meetings were held at different locations in every district wherein people were given an account of contributions of VHP for strengthening the Hindu community. According to Parishad’s Kashi Pranth office bearer Ashwani Mishra, the meetings would be organised all over the country.

“This year with Ram Temple being in focus, the meetings are also expected to have discussions on the construction of the temple in Ayodhya for garnering maximum support from members of the Hindu community,” he said.

Talking to HT, senior VHP leader Puneet Verma said in view of saints having unanimously decided to construct the Ram Temple in a ‘Dharam Sansad’ held at Magh Mela recently, the two-week long celebrations hold all the more importance specially if the government does not support the move, then the Parishad would devise a strategy to implement the saints’ decision. Sources said a high level meeting of the Parishad was slated to be held in the first week of September in Ayodhya to decide the day for commencement of construction of the temple in Ayodhya but it was postponed and the next date and venue of the meeting is yet to be announced.