Amarnath issue: VHP for Bharath bandh on July 3

New Delhi, Jul 1: VHP has called for 'Bharath Badh' on July 3 after the government revoked land allotment to Sri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) on Tuesday, July 3. Stopping any type of pilgrimage is against Indian culture and tradition, opines VHP. VHP International General Secretary Pravin Togadia said with this the Congress has shown that it was with those elements who were shouting pro-Pakistan slogans and against secular traditions of the country.

''With the land transfer revocation, the Congress has proved that it was siding with those who raise pro-Pakistan slogans and waved Pakistan flags in the valley.'' Calling the 'bandh' imperative, the VHP leader said the Centre and state governments of the Congress were colluding with Muslim forces who want to undermine the cultural heritage of India.

''We want the Amarnath Yatra to be allowed smoothly, land be given to the SASB and Article 370 of the constitution be scrapped.'' Stressing that ''we will not sit quiet till the land is given back to the SASB'', Mr Togadia said ''Hindus all over India are prepared to sacrifice anything'' to see justice being done to the Amarnath Board.

''If there is no Amarnath yatra, there would be no Haj also,'' he threatened.

For this on July 2 at 5,000 places all over the country a ''vehicle rally'' will be organised at all districts and blocks, said Togadia adding that if the July 3 'bandh' does not evoke the desired result a more vigorous approach will be adopted for it.

''And anything that happens then, the centre would be responsible for it.'' Meanwhile, supporting the 'Bharat bandh', the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has asked the trading community to observe a 'bandh' as it concerned the very basis of ''our cultural ethos''.

UNI