Date:21/12/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/12/21/stories/2004122113621100.htm

National

An act of repentance: Uma Bharti

The suspended BJP leader, Uma Bharti, cleaning shoes as part of `seva' at Hanumangadi in Ayodhya on Monday. — PTI

AYODHYA, DEC. 20. The suspended BJP leader, Uma Bharti, today cleaned the stairs of the Hanumaan Garhi temple and the shoes of devotees in ``repentance'' for non-participation in the Vishwa Hindu Parishad's "shila daan" programme in 2001 for construction of Ram temple.

``My conscience had been pricking since I failed to take part in the "shila daan" programme of the VHP in March 2001 when I was a Minister in the Union Government and this act is in repentance for it," she told reporters here. Ms. Bharti said that she had offered to quit the ministerial post to come to Ayodhya for taking part in the "shila daan" but was advised against it by the VHP chief, Ashok Singhal, and the late Ramchandra Paramhans.

She said she had apologised to the saints and mahants of Ayodhya as also the citizens for not participating in the "shila daan".

To a question, Ms. Bharti said that Ram temple would be built on the strength of faith and belief of the devotees. She termed her visit to Ayodhya as personal. Earlier, Ms. Bharti took a holy dip in the Saryu and offered prayers at the makeshift temple and the Nageshwar Nath Shiva temple. She later left for Allahabad.

PTI