Whole of India to turn into battlefield if Ramsethu harmed: VHP

New Delhi, Sep 28 (UNI) Threatening to turn every village and town into 'Ayodhya' if the government went ahead with the Ramsethu demolition plan, the VHP today said a political fallout of the such a step on the faith of millions of Hindus could not be ruled out.

Urging the government to clearly state mention it would not demolish the Ramsethu off Tamil Nadu shores, VHP general secretary Pravin Togadia said until then its nationwide agitation to create awareness on the issue would continue as it was a matter of faith for millions of Hindus.

Threatening to unleash a series of protests all over the country until the Ramsethu was 'spared', he said the VHP was left with no other option but resort to agitation as all democratic means to persuade the government on the issue had failed to elicit a positive response.

''Taking back the 'provocative' affidavit in the Supreme Court alone wasn't enough. Unless the government clearly mentions that it would refrain altogether from harming the Ramsethu, our agitation would continue.'' And, if need be, other means to further sharpen the agitation could be adopted, he told mediapersons, adding that political repercussions of the government's obduracy and obstinacy on the issue would definitely be felt all over.

''The Centre is totally responsible for the demolition plan, not just the DMK government in Tamil Nadu, because it was the Union cabinet which had passed the orders on the Rameshwaram Setusamudram project.'' Stressing that the VHP was against politicising the issue, he said if the Centre continued to crush the beliefs of the majority of the people in the country, no stone would be left unturned to protect the faith of millions of Hindus.

Mr Togadia also stated that as part of the multi-phase agitation, the VHP would begin enrolment of 'dharmyodhas' (religious defendents) to protect the Ramsethu from October 12 to October 25.

''After the 'padyatra' which began yesterday and would continue till October 10, our next step would be the 'enrolment programme' after which the Ramsethu 'shila yatra' would start from over 5,000 places around the country between November 20 to December 10.'' This 'shila yatra', beginning from over 6.25 lakh villages, would carry the Ramsethu message to all towns and villages where invocations of Ram and Shiva would be performed, Mr Togadia added.

UNI