Mumbai: Communication, resolution is key

Shriraj Nair, Milind Parande and Mohan Salekar of the VHP make their point. Pic/Anurag Ahire

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) top brass held a meet at the Mumbai Marathi Patrakar Sangh at Azad Maidan on Wednesday late morning where the Gyanvapi (Kashi) controversy and Mathura matter took centre stage. The leaders were hopeful of a speedy resolution to the issues, post the Ram Janmabhoomi event on January 22.

In control

Milind Parande, secretary general of the outfit, stated at the outset, "The VHP is working towards ensuring that temples must be free from central and state government interference. By this, we mean that they will naturally function within the ambit of the law but controlled by a committee of seers, judicial experts and other learned people who will oversee the functioning of these temples. This panel/expert committee can manage matters. We also should have a dispute resolution mechanism to address any internal differences." Parande further added, "The money collected by these temples through donations and offerings should be used for causes like the upkeep of smaller temples, maintenance, and other aspects."

In favour

The leader spoke about the Gyanvapi (Kashi) and Mathura controversy expressing hope that there will be, "a resolution to this soon, and it will be in the Hindus favour." He referenced the Ayodhya and Ram Janmabhoomi talking about the joy on January 22 which he said, "was evident not just in India, but in parts of countries in Europe, the Americas and Africa too."

Parande who was joined by Shriraj Nair, jt. secretary, Konkan and spokesperson, VHP, and Mohan Salekar, secretary Konkan Prant, on the dais touched upon Uttarakhand and the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) stating that Uttarakhand has shown "political willpower when it comes to UCC. There are and will be challenges but everybody must be equal in this country," he stated adding that there is:

‘one nation, one law.'" He added, "I hope the Central government shows the same political willpower. There is only one criminal law for all, so we also need one law for aspects like marriage, divorce, succession," he pointed out stressing that the UCC, "does offer security for women and children." The VHP trio also stated that the organisation was working towards quicker Indian citizenship being granted to Hindus who may have migrated or fled to India from places like Afghanistan, Bangladesh or Pakistan.

Questions fly

During the interactive session where the VHP took on several questions about the Kashi/Mathura controversy, Parande pointed out "Gyanvapi means well of knowledge in Sanskrit , and that itself is a paradox." The VHP refused to get into whether other sites too will be contested, stressing, "Currently, we are talking about these current issues only. A resolution to these does not mean there is a problem." Parande signed off stressing that, "channels of communication between both sides, Hindus and Muslims were open during Ram Janmabhoomi and remain open today, too."