Vedanti invites MK for debate on Lord Ram

Lucknow, Oct 4: Vishwa Hindu Parishad(VHP) leader and former BJP MP Ramvilas Vedanti today reiterated his threat against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi over the Ram Sethu issue and also invited him for an open debate on Lord Ram.

''I had issued a ''fatwa'' against Mr Karunanidhi as Bhagwad Gita has mentioned that the tongue of anyone who abuses your god should be chopped off,'' he claimed.

Demanding an unconditional appology by the TN CM for his remark against Lord Ram, he said hindu seers would a launch country-wide agitation if the matter was not resolved by November 20 next. He also invited the DMK supremo for a debate on Lord Ram ''wherever he wanted.'' Talking to mediapersons here, Dr Vedanti charged the Congress and the DMK with hatching a conspiracy against the majority Hindus of the country in a bid to woo the minority vote bank.

''I can give my life for the cause of the Ram Setu and would stick to my statement against Mr Karunanidhi,'' he said.

''The Tamil Nadu CM's remarks that Lord Ram was a drunkard is an insult to the sentiments of the Hindus...In Valmiki Ramayan, it has clearly stated that Lord Ram was a real saint and during his exile, he only had fruit for his meals,'' he said.

The VHP leader wondered as to why an FIR has been lodged against him for the fatwa. ''When former state minister Haji Yakoob issued a similar fatwa against the Danish cartoonists (for lampooning Prophet Mohammed), no legal action was initiated,'' he contended.

UNI