BJP wants VHP representation in Temple Trust decision

Lucknow/Ayodhya, June 12 (UNI) Terming it as an ''interference on the functioning of Hindu religious places'', saints in the temple city of Ayodhya have threatened an agitation over the Uttar Pradesh government's intentions to enact a law to set up trusts for disputed temples and 'mutts' in a bid to control bloody wars between various groups over possession of these places.

Principal Opposition BJP has also said any decision on creating a law to make way for trusts to control temples and 'mutts' should be made after due consultation with the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) -- ''the biggest oganisation representing Hindus.'' Allahabad High Court had recently ordered the Centre and state government to set up trusts. Giving three months to prepare a roadmap, the court also asked UP to inform it on the way it would go about setting up such trusts.

''If it is a HC directive, we want proper representation of the VHP in any decision on the matter,'' BJP UP unit spokesperson Hriday Narain Dikshit said. ''Since, the VHP is the biggest organisation representing Hindus, its views on the issue are mandatory.'' ''The present government has already ignored the sentiments of Hindus...if the government goes about setting up trusts without consultations, we will not take it lightly,'' he added.

A similar law was withdrawn by the previous BJP government led by Kalyan Singh in 1992.

Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas president Mahant Nritya Gopal Das said the saints of Ayodhya would launch an agitation on the issue.

''We have called a meeting of saints over the issue...if UP tries to take over temple and 'mutts' we would launch an agitation,'' he added.

State religious affairs minister Ashok Bajpai said there were no intentions to interfere in the functioning of such temple and 'mutts' but to check law and order problems. He said an Assembly Committee has also mooted a similar law.

Official sources said the new law would try to check bloody wars over control of such religious places. They claimed if a ban was imposed on the sale of such properties, the clashes between various groups would automatically end.

The state government is also contemplating dividing such places into three categories: ones having international importance; those of national importance and sites which have importance at the district level.

UNI NAB/XC VS HS KN1531