VHP leaders vow to oust 'secular forces'

While VHP leaders Ashok Singhal and Praveen Togadia attacked the Mulayam Singh Yadav Government accusing it of "repression" on the "Ram Bhakts" and foiling their on Friday's "sankalp Sabha" (assembly for taking pledge), Singhal warned Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to mend his "secular" ways.

Describing secularism as the "biggest enemy" of the nation, Singhal said "Atalji, if you don't come to us, we will abandon you," in an apparent reference to the NDA agenda that commits itself to secular governance.

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The leaders were addressing the VHP cadres that had gathered in the temple town for the massive congregation it had planned on Friday and were arrested.

Togadia, who was earlier in the day detained in Lucknow on apprehension of breach of peace in Ayodhya, was later allowed to go to the temple town repeatedly on an undertaking from the VHP that he would not indulge in any action that would vitiate atmosphere there.

Singhal invited the youth to be prepared to make "any sacrifice" for "wiping out" secular ideology and make the Bajrang Dal and Durga Vahini strong over a period of three years. They will be paid an honorarium.

"To make the country a Hindu Rashtra is our ultimate objective," he said adding that the interests of the Hindus could be protected only then.

Singhal said the VHP would identify 'Ram bhakts' who were injured in Friday's police "action" and those who had to go without food for days together and walk on foot for several kilometres to reach here.

Stating that the difficulties encountered by the 'Ram bhakts' had only strengthened their resolve, Singhal said it had become clear that no force on the earth could stop Ram temple construction.