Uttar Pradesh: South Indian 'saints' to participate in yatra for Ayodha temple creation

LUCKNOW: A day after completing controversial 84-kosi yatra in Uttar Pradesh (UP), the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Saturday announced to take out another yatra from September 22 to mobilise public support for construction of Ram temple at disputed site in Ayodhya. This it would be a shorter version - 5-kosi yatra -- specially for the 'seers' from four southern states affiliated to the VHP.

VHP international general secretary Champat Rai told reporters that many seers from the states -- Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka could not take part in the 84-kosi yatra due to heavy monsoon rains. "The VHP is organizing 5-kosi yatra for the seers of the four southern states. One prominent seer of each state along with 100 supporters will take part in the yatra", he said.

The move is being seen as Sangh Parivar's attempt to push forward Hindutava agenda in the run up to Lok Sabha elections due next year. It has also coincided with anointment of Narendra Modi as prime ministerial candidate of the BJP, akin of the RSS. The state is already witnessing one of the worst ever communal riots, which so far have claimed over 45 lives in Muzaffarnagar and adjoining districts.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Ram-temple-VHP-to-take-out-another-yatra/articleshow/22587093.cms