VHP to hold Ramotsav in 2015

Jaipur, Aug 24: Vishwa Hindu Parishad on Sunday indicated going soft on the Ram temple issue for now, saying the “permanent temple” would take shape in Ayodhya after the Supreme Court verdict.

The Hindu outfit, however, asserted that it has not given up Ayodhya Ram Mandir issue and would raise it during its “Ramostav” celebrations in March-April next year.

“We have not given up Ram Mandir issue. We will not leave this issue, though during VHP's golden jubilee celebrations, VHP is busy on other social issues too,” VHP's senior functionary Vinayak Rao Deshpande told a press conference here.

“Kacha (temporary) Ram temple is there very well in Ayodhya. Permanent Ram temple's shape would come up after the Supreme Court judgment.

“However, the High Court had given its verdict in Hindus' favour. VHP will hold Ramotsav from March-April, 2015 to raise it voice for Ram Mandir,” the outfit's joint general secretary said.

When questioned on BJP's move to raise the issue of love jihad' in Uttar Pradesh, VHP functionary said, “We welcome BJP's step. This issue affects over one lakh girls every year in the country.

“VHP has saved over 10,000 girls after counselling in the past, and many of them got remarried with Hindu boys.”

Mr. Deshpande said there was a need to inculcate “Hindu” values in the youth and raise awareness on the issue.

“This problem needs a better awareness programme and hindu sanskar' should be inculcated in growing kids,” the VHP functionary said.

Love jihad' is a term coined by some Hindu groups for alleged efforts to get non-Muslim girls to convert to Islam through love affairs.

He said Vishwa Hindu Parishad will hold a three days “World Hindu Congress” to focus on an agenda of women and youth empowerment, media, education beginning from November 21 to 23 in Delhi.

Over 3000 delegates including 1000 from abroad will take part in the three—day congress to be held at Ashok Hotel from November 21, Mr. Deshpande said.

Issues like women and youth empowerment issues, role of media, education, Hindu economy to attract businessmen from abroad, and Hindu politics would be taken up for deliberations, Mr. Deshpande said.

To coincide with VHP's golden anniversary year celebrations, VHP would hold five national level meets in Mumbai, Bangalore, Bhopal, Kolkata, and Delhi during November to February, 2015, he said.

VHP will also hold blood donation camp at 1000 places, he said, adding the outfit would ask its activists to pledge their eyes to help over two crore blind people.

Environment conservation programme will be launched in July 2015 which will include planting saplings specially of Tulsi in each house, he said.