The saffron brigade on Aug 16 launched Hanumat Shakti Jagran - a three month long campaign, ostensibly timed towards whipping up temple frenzy, ahead of the High Court verdict in the Ayodhya title suit, expected in September.
Under the plan, the VHP-RSS combine, got some people to recite Hanuman Chalisa 11 times preceded by the temple-construction pledge and followed by a signature campaign -- all in a desperate effort to elicit support for the temple-cause.
Claiming to collect "11 crore signatures of support for temple from 3 lakh villages" across country -- the saffron outfits also plan to reach out to the country's people's representatives in September-October, apparently for building "pressure" on the policy makers to enact a law for the construction of a temple.
"We are convinced that the Ayodhya issue should be solved through legislation. That is why we plan to approach people's representatives and convince them about the need to enact a law for the temple cause," said a senior VHP functionary, monitoring the phase I of the three-month long exercise.
While in other cities, the saffron outfits identified just one temple for the Monday's inaugural exercise in Ayodhya they identified 123 temples from where recitation was done. In Lucknow, the function was held at Hanuman Setu temple opposite the Lucknow University (LU). "Sangh is going to be fully with VHP on this. Our cadres are assisting the VHP and attempting to hold such recitations in at least 10 lakh temples across the country," a RSS source said saying that the presence of senior RSS leaders at Hanuman Setu, was proof of that. By November, yagnas would be held in 8500 blocks across the country. Asked whether BJP was a part of the campaign, a RSS leader said, "Why BJP alone? We plan to approach all political parties to assist in our cause." Monday witnessed more of rhetoric, less of activity.
{{/usCountry}}While in other cities, the saffron outfits identified just one temple for the Monday's inaugural exercise in Ayodhya they identified 123 temples from where recitation was done. In Lucknow, the function was held at Hanuman Setu temple opposite the Lucknow University (LU). "Sangh is going to be fully with VHP on this. Our cadres are assisting the VHP and attempting to hold such recitations in at least 10 lakh temples across the country," a RSS source said saying that the presence of senior RSS leaders at Hanuman Setu, was proof of that. By November, yagnas would be held in 8500 blocks across the country. Asked whether BJP was a part of the campaign, a RSS leader said, "Why BJP alone? We plan to approach all political parties to assist in our cause." Monday witnessed more of rhetoric, less of activity.
{{/usCountry}}