Date:17/11/2002 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2002/11/17/stories/2002111703750800.htm

National

Ban RSS affiliates: Paswan

By Our Special Correspondent

LUCKNOW NOV. 16. The Lok Janshakti Party leader, Ram Vilas Paswan, today demanded that the RSS-affiliated organisations, including the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the Bajrang Dal, be banned to ensure free and fair Assembly elections in Gujarat. These organisations had been trying to criminalise a tolerant religion like Hinduism and were vitiating the communal atmosphere in view of the coming elections, he charged. "They should not be allowed to continue with their activities and exploit religious sensitivities for political purposes.''

Talking to newspersons here, Mr. Paswan praised the Election Commission for its "bold step" directing the Gujarat Government to ban the proposed VHP yatra.

The Sangh Parivar's tirade against the Commission was deplorable.

The EC was a constitutional authority and the way the VHP and its associates were attacking it should be condemned in the strongest terms, Mr. Paswan said. The LJP leader said though the Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, had disapproved of the attack on the EC, his true intentions would be known only if the Union Government takes matching action to discourage the Sangh Parivar affiliates.