VHP doesn't concur with Pope's criticism of Islam: Singhal

New Delhi, Sep 15 (UNI) Dissociating itself from Pope Benedict's 'criticism' of Islam, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad today said there could be no agreement with the Pope on any issue and the matter was between the Christians and Muslims.

It is their problem and both the Christians and Muslims should sort it out, we are not involved, said VHP president Ashok Singhal addressing mediapersons here.

''The war has begun and will flare in coming days. We are not involved and we have fight with no one. Let both fight, we will be mere witnesses.'' Both are aggressive religions and both want to dominate, so the conflict has arisen. Islam is spreading in Europe which was what was rattling the Christians and hence this posturing, he said.

To a query on whether he agreed with the comments Pope made on Islam, the VHP leader said,'' we cannot agree with the Pope on anything and in any way as he was against us. How can I agree with him on anything?'' On the Vande Mataram issue, Mr Singhal said it was abhorring to learn how Congress President Sonia Gandhi declined to participate in the function organised to celebrate the national song and how 'maulvis' all over the country protested singing it.

''It was a prelude to balkanising India as they were openly opposing 'national symbols', which was a bad omen. Even the UDF MLAs in Assam opposed singing the song and received support from certain 'secular' quarters which did not bode well for the country's future.

There was a concerted bid to undermine the nation and its heritage.'' Mr Singhal also chided the BJP over raking up the Ram Mandir issue, saying ''people will take it no more, they can see through the move.'' It was a case of 'once bitten twice shy' for the people, who would not be carried away by hollow promises any more, he said adding, ''ideally the BJP should not raise the issue at all or use it as a plank for gaining votes and sympathy for the party.'' Patting former UP Chief Minister and BJP leader Kalyan Singh for his unqualified support for the Ram temple, the VHP president informed the media that Singh had been very vocal in his support for the cause and while the disputed structure was being demolished in Ayodhya had openly said, ''governments may come and go but whatever is happening now, let it happen...'' In an indirect sarcasm towards former Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani, who later called the event as the ''saddest day of my life'', Mr Singhal said, ''at least Kalyan Singh did not regret the move this way.'' The VHP leader also elaborated on the issues which were to be raised at tomorrow's Central Advisory Comnmittee meeting. ''Ram mandir would top the agenda followed by 'Ardh Kumbh' in Prayag (Allahabad), 'secularisation' of Hindu Nepal, menace of Maoists, blasts in Maharashtra, demonising and lampooning Hindu dieties in NCERT textbooks and the largescale conversions being carried out by Christian missionaries.'' UNI AN RP KN1638