VHP slams Vasundhara Raje over demolition of temples

Agitating against demolition of temples in Rajasthan, VHP on Thursday accused Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje of being 'pseudo secular' in targeting Hindu places of worship

New Delhi: Agitating against demolition of temples in Rajasthan, VHP on Thursday accused Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje of being 'pseudo secular' in targeting Hindu places of worship.

The RSS affiliate said it took to the streets to protest razing of temples as the 'last resort' and will take the agitation to a 'logical end'. VHP also said it has not abandoned its 'core issue' of constructing a Ram Temple in Ayodhya which is 'very much on the agenda'.

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) activists stage a protest against government over demolition of temples due to metro train project, in Jaipur on Thursday. Pic/PTI

"Why only temples have been targeted...This partiality, discrimination will not be allowed. That is why the local unit of VHP has opposed the demolition and it is natural... Taking to the streets was only the last resort. "One wonders if a person is trying to be secular and is becoming anti-Hindu," VHP joint general secretary Surendra Kumar Jain said.

When asked if Raje was trying to be pseudo secular, he said, 'Probably'.

"And in this attempt, one is trying to woo outsiders who do not become their own, but one loses confidence of one's own people," he added. He said, "Our fight is not against any person, but by the person's actions".

Asked if the Ram Temple issue was not in focus, he said, "It was always in VHP's focus. It was never put off. This pledge of temple construction is not of VHP, but of the entire Hindu community. Even if VHP wants to stop, people will not allow it."

The VHP leader said it was unfortunate that only temples were being targeted in Rajasthan, even those temples which are 150-200 years old. "Only Hindu temples are attacked and removed. No religious places of other religions have been even touched. The historicity of the temples should be kept in mind (before targeting them)," Jain said. He said, "We have started this agitation. The result should be good. We will take this agitation to its logical end."

It also hit out at the BJP government in Haryana led by Manohar Lal Khattar for not taking stern action against anti- social elements, especially infiltrators from Bangladesh and Myanmar, who were trying to create social and communal tension in parts of the state by targeting Hindus.

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