Ayodhya: Declaration of “Crusade” before Dharma Sabha, VHP says, it’s conspiracy to defame

With Muslims fleeing from Ayodhya, history seems to be repeating itself. While the right-wing organisations are openly declaring a ‘crusade’ before Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray’s programme and the Dharam Sabha of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, The VHP is shrugging off its responsibility by calling it a ‘conspiracy’. The experts and observers say that the same happened in 1990 and 1992—one organisation declares a crusade and another says it has nothing to do with it.

Busy in the preparations for Uddhav Thackeray’s programme, a Shiv Sainik said under the condition of anonymity that the construction of the Ram temple is like a ‘crusade’ for us. If not this time then when? This Shiv Sainik has come from Nasik and has been given the responsibility of pasting posters in Ayodhya and Faizabad (now Ayodhya). Some similar announcements are being made by people belonging to the auxiliary organisations of the RSS, like the Bajrang Dal and the VHP. People associated with these organisations are openly sharing pictures of weapons on Facebook and on other social media forums, but officially the spokespersons of these organisations are avoiding talks regarding these things.

When asked, the VHP spokesperson Sharad Sharma immediately responded in negative. He blamed the media entirely for this and said that the media is giving undue coverage of the Muslims who are fleeing Ayodhya in fear. “The purpose of the Dharam Sabha organised by the VHP is to convey the sentiments of 85% of Hindus and not to intimidate someone.”

Although when asked to respond about the activities of the Shiv Sainiks, he maintained silence. Sharma’s uncomfortable silence is sufficient to convey that there is still a tussle going on between the two organisations over taking credit for the environment created in the name of Ram.

The editor of a Hindi newspaper, published from Lucknow, said that this is the typical modus operandi of the Sangh Parivar. The same conditions as of 1990 and 1992 are being created, The same methods and tactics are being adopted. “ At that time, these people had given an affidavit in the court that the Babri Masjid would not be demolished, but this time it is their government. They do not even need to submit any affidavit.”

Although there are some people who believe that the construction of Ram temple is not as easy as the demolition of the mosque as the Shiv Sena supporters have been claiming. The mosque could be broken in a few minutes but it will take months to build the foundation of the temple.

"If you analyse, then you will realise that the activities are very similar to that of 1990 and 1992. An organisation of the RSS releases a statement, the second mobilises people on the ground and the third contradicts that statement. It becomes quite difficult to point out which organisation is actually responsible. For example, on the issue of construction of the temple, the Sangh has never raised any question on the decision of the Supreme Court, while the VHP and Bajrang Dal are distributing pamphlets against it. BJP sends out a very different signal depending on the situation. It sometime talks about reconciliation and sometimes sends out a strong message. "

Not only is there a display of weapons on social media, but huge TV screens have also been installed in Ayodhya at different places and Ramayana is being shown on them. OP Singh, a resident of Ayodhya, said that the same thing happened in 1990 and 1992. Throughout the country, the VHP and RSS had then mobilised people to demolish the mosque by showing the Ramayana through mobile vans.

According to OP Singh, in the last three days, 10 big screens have been installed in different areas of Ayodhya, where the provocative scenes of Ramayana, especially those which portray the battle are being shown.

"As evening descends, battle scenes from the Ramayana start being flashed on the TV screens. People watch these scene with devotion. In their subconscious, they are actually preparing themselves for a fictional war. Most of them are the pilgrims. However, these scenes do not have any special meaning as far as the temple and mosque dispute is concerned, but in their subconscious, these scene are actually preparing them for a war in the name of Ram.”

Although in the wake of the Dharam Sabha, the UP Police claims that all arrangements for security have been made and the crowd will not be allowed to go to the disputed site but the Muslims in Ayodhya aren’t very trusting of them. A social worker Wasim said that after the news of Muslims fleeing the city of Ayodhya came to light, some security arrangements have been made but they are still not sufficient. The way people from outside are swarming the city, these security arrangements are definitely not enough.”