The Hindu : Allies, Opposition for ban on VHP, Bajrang Dal

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Mar 19, 2002

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Allies, Opposition for ban on VHP, Bajrang Dal
By Javed M. Ansari

NEW DELHI MARCH 18. The BJP-led Government came under fire from its allies for the second consecutive day today, this time over Saturday's storming of the Orissa Assembly by VHP and Bajrang Dal activists.

The Trinamool Congress, the Janata Dal (United) and the Samata Party added to the Government's discomfiture in the Lok Sabha by joining the Opposition in demanding a ban on the VHP and the Bajrang Dal.

The Lok Sabha witnessed an acrimonious debate on the Orissa incidents with the Opposition too unrelenting in its criticism of the involvement of the two prominent Sangh Parivar organisations.

What added to the BJP's problems was that there was little help coming from the allies, save the Biju Janata Dal. Though the Telugu Desam Party, which had taken the lead on Saturday on the Ayodhya issue, stopped short of demanding a ban, it called for ``exemplary punishment against those involved''.

Today, the pace was set by Devendra Prasad Yadav (JD- U). Denouncing all forms of fundamentalism, he straightway called for a ban on the VHP and the Bajrang Dal. He wondered how the nation could fight ISI-sponsored terrorism if some people were allowed to divide society, challenge the courts and defy the state in the name of religion. ``Those who are trying to divide this nation on communal lines must be dealt with irrespective of the religion or the party they belong,'' said Mr. Yadav.

He was also critical of the role played by the saffron brigade in rewriting history and in the demolition of places of worship. ``Those doing it must be banned,'' he said.

`Attack from within'

Prabhunath Singh (Samata) was equally unequivocal in calling for action against the members of the Sangh Parivar. He said the Government should use the Prevention of Terrorism Ordinance (POTO) against those involved ``even if it meant the VHP and the Bajrang Dal``.

The nation was facing an attack from within. Even though it was the Assembly that had been attacked ``some people were citing incidents of the past to justify it''. Mr. Singh called for a ban on carrying of `Trishuls' (tridents). How can those carrying `Trishuls' be any different from those carrying guns,'' he asked.

Nitish Sengupta (Trinamool Congress) voiced the same demand. He came down hard on the VHP and Bajrang Dal and urged the Government to take stronger action against these organisations.

The attack from the allies came after the Opposition gave the Government a torrid time, lambasting the Sangh Parivar for ``spreading the gospel of hate and creating conditions for all kinds of elements to flout the law''. The entire Opposition without an exception demanded a ban on the VHP and the Bajrang Dal.

Raising the issue through an adjournment motion, Somnath Chatterjee said there was no difference between the December 13 attack on Parliament, the J&K Assembly incident and the attack on the Orissa Assembly.

`` What has happened there is also a terrorist attack,'' he said.

Shivraj Patil (Congress) made the same demand. ``Just because the attack has come from friends of a particular party it does not lessen the gravity of the crime.'' He described the attack as a challenge to the supreme authority of the state

and laid the blame for the attack on the Sangh Parivar.

The former Prime Minister, Chandra Shekhar and Deve Gowda, echoed the same views. Mr. Shekhar said the Orissa incident posed a bigger danger because it came from within. He wanted the Government to act fast against all those who were challenging the secular order and the rule of law. ``If this Government does not act, I am afraid we are heading towards disintegration.'' Mr. Gowda was critical of the RSS resolution passed in Bangalore.

Raghuvansh Prasad Singh (RJD) and Mulayam Singh Yadav (SP) charged the Government with encouraging fanatical elements. He said a BJP Minister in the Orissa Government had planned the attack on the legislature.

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