The Hindu : We are hopeful, says VHP

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Saturday, Mar 09, 2002

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We are hopeful, says VHP

NEW DELHI, MARCH 8. The VHP today claimed that the Centre has agreed to ``sympathetically consider'' its demands including shifting of carved stones to the ``undisputed'' site in Ayodhya, lifting restrictions enforced in the temple town and returning the ``undisputed'' land to it by June 2.

``The Government has a positive outlook, though they have not taken any decision. There is many a slip between the cup and the lip.

Let the Government first come out with their cards. We are hopeful and we are awaiting to hear from their side,'' the VHP international president, V.H. Dalmia, told reporters here on the outcome of the high-level meeting convened by the Prime Minister, A.B. Vajpayee, on Thursday night.

Later, the VHP's joint general secretary, Omkar Bhave, said though the Government had time till March 12 to make an announcement in this regard, it would do so soon.

The Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas and Mandir Nirman Samiti are meeting in Ayodhya on March 14 to discuss the issue, he said.

Thursday's meet, held after the VHP gave a written commitment to abide by the court verdict on the disputed site, was attended among others by the Defence Minister and NDA convener, George Fernandes, the Home Minister, L.K. Advani, the BJP president, Jana Krishnamurthy, the VHP leader, Ashok Singhal, the RSS joint general secretary, Madan Das Devi, besides the Kanchi Sankaracharya, Jayendra Saraswati, who mediated between various groups.

Earlier in the day, the Kanchi Acharya, who returned to Chennai from Delhi, said a symbolic ``bhoomi puja'' with a ``single stone'' will be performed in a peaceful manner at the undisputed site in Ayodhya on March 15.

- PTI

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