Now, VHP wants nationwide fund collection campaign
PRAYAGRAJ: On a day Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the formation of a trust for the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) said a nationwide drive to raise funds for the temple construction should be launched now.
“The Hindu Samaj will contribute funds for the temple construction under the supervision of the newly formed trust,” said VHP’s senior office-bearers.
Modi announced in the Lok Sabha the formation of the trust to construct the temple, as directed by the Supreme Court in its landmark verdict in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case in November last year. The trust will have 15 members from different sections of the society, one among them from the Dalit community.
“As proposed by VHP, the trust should now announce start of a campaign for collecting donations amounting to ₹11 and a brick from every Hindu across the country which will ensure participation by every member of the Hindu community in the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya,” said Surendra Jain, joint general secretary, VHP.
He said the bricks collected as part of the Ram Temple campaign since 1989 will be also used in the construction as they signify people’s faith which would be duly respected.
“The new trust is likely to get the temple constructed on the VHP model as it has widespread acceptance of Hindus and cannot be ignored,” he said.
On the possibility of Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas chief Mahant Nritya Gopal Das being made president of the new trust, Jain said, “We want this announcement to come from the government and not us,” he said.
VHP’s Sangathan Mantri (organization secretary), UP, Ambrish Singh said it was decided in the Dharam Sansad held during Kumbh Mela in 1989 that contribution of every Hindu was a must in Ram Temple construction after which ‘Shila Pujan’ was conducted in nearly 2.75 lakh villages of the country wherein Hindus donated bricks with ‘Shri Ram’ inscribed on them.
“Now it is time for all Hindus to come forward and register their participation in temple construction through fund and brick donations,” he said.
In all likelihood, the name of Mahant Nritya Gopal Das will be announced for the post of president of the new trust by Central government,” he said.
President of Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad (AKAP) Mahant Narendra Giri also welcomed the formation of Shri Ram Hanmabhoomi Teerth Kehstra Trust, for construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
He said now all formalities needed to be completed at the earliest so that the construction of a magnificent Ram Temple started quickly.
He said as per the Supreme Court verdict, it was the prerogative of the Central government to appoint members to this 15-member trust.
However, Akhada Parishad would want Mahant Nritya Gopal Das as president of the new trust.
“Everyone who played an important role in the struggle for Ram Temple construction like the RSS and the VHP besides the present president and secretary of Akhil Bharatiya Akahada Parishad and heir to Ramchandra Paramhans should find a place in the trust,” he said.
ABAP chief, however, said that irrespective of who gets a place in the trust, the decision of the Central government would be welcomed to all.
Since 1989, the VHP had collected around Rs 8.25 crore from donation from 6 crore people.
“The money has been spent in past three decades in making preparations for the temple construction in Karsewakpuram, including carving of stone pillars and bricks besides the blue print from professional architects,” said VHP’s vice president Champat Rai.