‘No compromise on Ram temple’

ASSERTION Newlyelected VHP working chief charts his course for the organisation; says social harmony in country is primary on agenda

NEWDELHI: Elected international working president of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) last week, Alok Kumar says the organisation remains committed to the campaign for the construction of a Ram temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya . A former functionary of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and former deputy speaker of the Delhi assembly, Kumar, who is also a Supreme Court lawyer, said in an interview with

that the VHP will also focus on eradication of caste fault lines. Excerpts:

Smriti Kak Ramachandran

by the committee that is spearheading the movement. He contested an election and his candidate (Raghava Reddy) lost. There is no such thing as being thrown out, he resigned.. I do not have to comment on his new found realisations. I believe we have to move beyond tokenism — eating together, worshipping some SC girls on Ashtami day or sharing meals... For this we need to ensure three things. First, financial democracy — where SC/ST communities are strengthened to start their own industries and businesses. Second, we need educational democracy, where they have avenues for better learning . Third is social democracy, where the dignity of each individual is respected irrespective of caste. I also believe we have to take stock of whether all sections, including SCS and STS are included in all decision-making bodies.