Former VHP leader Pravin Togadia hits out at PM Modi, Bhagwat on Ram Temple issue

The former VHP leader alleged that the RSS was not interested in pursuing the cause of building a Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
Former Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Pravin Togadia. ( Photo | PTI)
Former Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Pravin Togadia. ( Photo | PTI)

NAGPUR: The RSS has changed its stand over Ram Mandir under pressure from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) chief Pravin Togadia has said.

"The original RSS line on Ram Mandir at Ayodhya that it should be done by passing a legislation in the parliament. However, under pressure from Modi, the RSS left it for the Courts to decide," Togadia said.

Togadia, who now heads Antarrashtriya Hindu Parishad (AHP), while addressing the media at Nagpur on Sunday, also blamed Bhagwat and Modi for diluting the Hindutva discourse and said that his organizations would support Shiv Sena, if they pursue the Hindutva hardline in politics.

"I've no personal animosity with the Prime Minister. But, after coming to power he always wanted that the VHP should not push for Ram Mandir. The issue escalated during September 2017 meeting at Bhopal when the RSS ruled that the VHP should follow the Court ruling over the issue. But, since Ram is revered more than the organization, I quit VHP and formed AHP," Togadia said.

He also lodged a massive attack against Prime Minister Modi accusing him of abandoning the Hindutva ideology.

"When it comes to the SC/ST Act, Modi says Parliament will decide on the matter and not the courts. But when it comes to building the Ram Temple, Modi backtracks and says the courts will decide on the issue and not Parliament," Togadia pointed out and said that the Hindu psyche needs to be awakened over the issue of legislation in favour of Ram Mandir. He also slammed Bhagwat for for his remarks - "Hindu Rashtra does not mean there is no place for Muslims".

"If that is so, I want to ask if there is no Hindutva without gau hatyaare (cow killers), love jihadis, stone pelters and Pakistani flag wavers in Kashmir," he questioned and went on to say - "We had joined the RSS 52 years ago considering it to be a Hindu organisation. But now we feel it is only concerned with the interests of Muslim community."

Togadia also said that the AHP would pursue "Hindu politics" and indicated that the he would support the Shiv Sena if they pursue the Hindu hardliner politics.

"Aab Ki Baar Hindu Sarkar is our war cry," he said.

"While the AHP has given a call to gather at Ayodhya for building Ram Temple, it would also try to put forth a strong alternative in national politics. However, it won't ever support parties like the Congress. But, Hindus would be brought together under Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's Saffron flag," Togadia said.

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