Banerjee report to appease muslims before polls in 5 states: VHP

New Delhi, Mar 4 (UNI) Condemning the Banerjee Commission report on Godhra as ''illegal, blatant and politically motivated'', senior VHP leader Giriraj Kishore today said it was a clever move to appease the Muslim electorate just before five states went to polls.

Addressing mediapersons Acharya Kishore said the way facts had been turned and twisted in the report, it had become a laughing stock.

''The report says there were 250 people in the compartment and only 59 died in the fire which started from inside. What happened to the rest? And how were they saved if the fire started from inside?'' No answer had been provided for the missing others, he said.

Anyway, the report did not carry any credibility as it was neither formed on the recommendations of the Parliament nor was it being kept before it, the VHP leader elaborated.

Denouncing the government move of perpetual appeasement of the minorities, the Acharya said the majority was being taken for granted. ''This would not be accepted by the people.'' On the Lucknow violence and protests, he said Mr Bush was a State guest and it did not behove of a State minister of the Mulayam Singh government to join the protestors with a black flag.

''Why were all those supporting the protests silent when Hindu Gods and Goddesses were riled in paintings by M F Hussain?'' The Acharya also said the VHP had nothing to do with Uma Bharti forming a new party and his organisation would not support it.

UNI AN SHB BS1832