India: Tensions in the Religious Right; Sant Mahasabha seeks accounts from VHP

The Times of India

Mahakumbh: Sant Mahasabha seeks donation details from VHP

by Rajiv Mani, TNN | Feb 15, 2013, 12.55 AM IST

ALLAHABAD: The Sant Mahasabha, after holding a meeting attended by hundreds of seers and mahants at Kumbh, has demanded that the Vishwa Hindu Parishad should give the details of the money it had collected in the name of constructing Ram temple at Ayodhya. The Mahasabha said if the VHP fails to give details within a month, it will meet the Union home minister and demand a CBI inquiry against VHP.

"We have decided to approach the Supreme Court to initiate action against those responsible for destruction of Babri mosque. We will also ask the apex court to permit the Mahasabha to construct a dome at the same spot and not leave Ram Lalla in open," Mahasabha members said while speaking to media.

"We are deeply pained that the occasion like Maha Kumbh has been used for making prime ministers and chief ministers as Kumbh is a place for 'chintan' (deliberations) on social issues pertaining to nation's welfare," they added. The Mahasabha appealed to the VHP and BJP to stop doing business in the name of temple as collecting money in name of sanatan dharma (referring to Hinduism) is not acceptable.

The Mahasbaha has also demanded that the armed forces be given more powers in order to strengthen our borders. Besides, the policy makers should put a blanket ban on liquor, several other forms intemperance along with vulgar literature and cinema. "We appeal to the government not to conduct population census based on caste and religion," seers said.

"The Mahasabha also demands that the country should come up with suitable laws which control population since this is needed if we want better future for our countrymen," seers said, adding that the government should withdraw Article 370.