LUCKNOW: Demanding removal of Ram temple's mention from the BJP manifesto, Sant Mahasabha, a body representing various sadhus and saints, has threatened to sit on fast-unto-death.
A delegation of the umbrella body met officials of Election Commission on February 11.
"A delegation of Sant Samaj met the EC officials on February 11 and submitted a memorandum to issue notice to the BJP to remove mention of Ram temple from its manifesto," north India president of Sant Mahasabha Acharya Pramod Krishnam told reporters here.
The outfit has demanded cancellation of BJP's manifesto in case it does not scrap the mention of Ram temple from it.
"If this does not happen by midnight then Sant Samaj will start fast unto death in front of EC office from tomorrow," Krishnam said.
He alleged that the BJP has raised the issue of Ram temple "prominently" in its manifesto, on which saints of the country have serious reservation.
"This issue should not be politicised," Krishnam said.
He added that as the matter was pending in the Supreme Court, this is contempt of the court as well as a violation of the model code of conduct.
On January 27, BJP revived the Ram temple issue promising construction of a grand temple in Ayodhya if voted to power.
The party's manifesto for the state Assembly elections brought back the issue which had once propelled the party to the centerstage of national politics.