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VHP criticises Lyngdoh, discusses 'alternative'

Ahmedabad Nov. 13. Leaders of the Gujarat unit of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad tonight discussed a possible alternative to its proposed controversial `Vijay yatra' across the State in the light of the Election Commission's ban on it.

The VHP International general secretary, Praveen Togadia, told PTI here that "we held talks among ourselves but have not decided as yet in what form the yatra will proceed," after the EC directive to the State Government to ban it.

The meeting, also attended by the Bajrang Dal leaders, would discuss the religious rights of Hindu society ``that the Chief Election Commissioner, J. M. Lyngdoh, has violated", Mr. Togadia said.

He said that "if Mr. Lyngdoh has taken action based on a report, then he has violated the freedom of Dharmic (religious) choice of taking out a yatra."

`Lyngdoh anti-Hindu'

Earlier, in New Delhi, the VHP senior vice-president, Acharya Giriraj Kishore, described Mr. Lyngdoh as "anti-Hindu" and announced that VHP activists would defy the ban and court arrest.

Terming as ``unfortunate'' the decision of the three-member Election Commission, Acharya Kishore, said that ``it is an infringement of our fundamental right. Mr. Lyngdoh's actions show his anti-Hindu bias. Up to now, we have decided to defy the ban order and court arrest."

Asked about the Gujarat Government report, which prompted the Commission to ban the yatra, he said the report was ``influenced'' by Mr. Lyngdoh.

The BJP, on the other hand, sought to play it safe saying that the party was committed to holding free and peaceful polls in the State. Its spokesman, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, said the party would formulate its view after studying the Commission's decision.

Apparently with an eye on the Gujarat polls, the VHP had announced on Tuesday plans to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the demolition of the disputed structure at Ayodhya on December 6 as `vijay diwas' (victory day) in a "big way".

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