VHP not part of Shankaracharya's Ayodhya 'parikrama': Singhal

Varanasi, Nov 25 (UNI) VHP president Ashok Singhal today clarified the Hindu outfit will not participate in the November 30 'parikrama' of Ram Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya by Jyotish-Shardapeeth Shankaracharya Jagadguru Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati.

''We respect the Shankaracharya, but will not be part of his programmes, as he has never been serious to the Ram temple cause.

On the contrary, he has tried to divide Hindu saints over the issue, which is close to the heart of every Hindu,'' Mr Singhal told newspersons here.

Mr Singhal claimed the seer has never contributed to the cause of the Ram temple and hence the entire saint community is suspicious of his moves.

Taking a dig at the secular minded political class, Mr Singhal said ''there is a strong need for kicking the secular brigade out of the country.'' The VHP leader claimed over three lakh religious leaders will participate in the three-day third Vishwa Hindu Sammelan during the Ardh Kumbh in Prayag, starting from February 11 next year.

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