VHP delegation meets President on Varanasi Blasts

New Delhi, Mar 16 (UNI) A VHP delegation today called on President APJ Abdul Kalam and handed over a memorandum demanding a CBI inquiry into the bomb blasts at the 'Sankat Mochan' temple and Cantt station at Varanasi on March 7 in which at least 17 people were killed and 100 injured.

The three page memorandum which contained a nine-point charter of demands, also called for dismissal of the Mulayam Singh government in Uttar Pradesh for failing to provide a sense of security among the common man in the state.

The delegation led by VHP President (International) Ashok Singhal pointed out that while it failed to take adequate steps to protect places of worship like the Sankat Mochan Temple, it allowed the Muslims to hold violent demonstrations in protest against the objectionable cartoons of Prophet Mohammad carried by some foreign newspaper. During the demonstrations, the mob attacked the residences of one community and looted their property, it said.

Expressing concern over increasing attacks on places of worship of Hindus like Raghunath Temple, Akshar Dham, Shri Ramjanambhoomi, and now the Sankat Mochan temple, it demanded that a task force be constituted immediately for protection of Mutts and temples. It emphasised the need for POTA and said the law should be revived and enforced strictly.

The memorandum demanded a check on growth of madrasas,ban on the appeasement policy to check vote bank politics, the area in the west of the Sri Ramjanambhoomi be acquired by the authorities and people living there be given alternative site, and Rs ten lakh compensation for the deceased and free education of their children.

UNI KAS/MCN RP RK1845