Ayodhya: VHP’s Dharam Sabha was more about politics than Lord Ram

Months ahead of the Lok Sabha elections 2019, RSS-affiliated Vishwa Hindu Parishad-led Dharam Sabha turned out to be anything but a show of strength. At the meeting, they defied every constitutional norm by criticising apex court order on the Ram temple title suit and attacked Opposition parties and minorities.

Lanes and bylines of Ayodhya were teeming with saffron-clad saints and supporters of VHP on Sunday, November 25, who had supposedly gathered to discuss the issue of Ram temple, but they talked much about contemporary politics and less about Ram.

The much-touted Dharam Sabha ended up being a much smaller gathering of chest-thumping RSS-VHP-BJP supporters than what VHP had announced. Instead of lakhs, only thousands turned up.

The babas who landed in Ayodhya were angry with the delay in the construction of the Ram temple. Warning minorities, a baba said, “Is bar hum balidan denge nahi, balki hum balidan lenge (this time we will not be the ones making sacrifices, but taking sacrifices).

Mauni Baba, who was on the dais, asked the frenzied crowds to take a pledge in the name of Ram. Exhorting the crowd, he said Hindus will fight for the construction of the Ram temple till their last breath and they will not be silent anymore. Seers and babas were virulently triggering hatred against minorities and none of them questioned the silence of the Modi government on the issue.

Swamy Rambhadracharya of Chitrakoot said, “On November 23, I had called a senior Union Minister who assured that after the model code of conduct comes to an end on December 11, the PM is likely to sit with us and take a decision on the timeline of the construction.”

Ramji Das of the Nirmohi Akhara announced at the Dharma Sabha that the dates for the construction of the Ram Temple will be announced early next year during the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj.

However, the VHP spokesperson, Sharad Sharma tried to underplay the provocative speeches and the attack on the Constitution and Supreme Court.

Talking to National Herald, he said, “They were speaking their mind and heart. It was natural expression of their anguish following the judgment of the apex court.” When countered how violet speeches against a community be justified in a democracy, he said, “We have attained political freedom but we are yet to attain religious freedom.”