BJP demands withdrawal of 'fee' on staging Ramlila

New Delhi, Sept 19 (UNI) Delhi BJP President Harsh Vardhan today asked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to direct the Union Culture Ministry to immediately withdraw the recent order of recovering Rs 25,000 rent per day from the two Committees staging Ramlila in front of the Red Fort.

In his letter to Dr Singh, the Delhi BJP chief said in the absence of the withdrawal of the order he should sack Union Tourism and Culture Minister Ambika Soni.

Calling the move ''autocratic'', Dr Vardhan said the move had hurt the sentiments of several Ram 'bhakts' as the Culture ministry had threatened to stop the staging of the Ramlila if the payments were not made.

Warning of largescale public protests if the order was not not rolled back, Dr Vardhan said people have decided to oppose the move tooth and nail.

UNI