lending his support to the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) sponsored Chaurasi-Kausi Yatra starting from August 25, BJP president Rajnath Singh appealed to the Uttar Pradesh government to reconsider its decision to ban the yatra.
"UP government has no moral right to rule the state if it cannot provide security to 200-500 sadhus and saints who want to perform a religious function," Singh said on Thursday.
Addressing a function on release of a book written on senior BJP leader and MlC Hridya Narain Dixit here at his residence, Singh said UP government’s decision was unfortunate and said VHP padyatra has anything to do with electoral politics.
"Is UP government so weak that several thousand security personnel cannot provide security to 200-500 sadhus who want to perform their religious ritual. It is the responsibility
of the government to provide security to all so that the religious programme should be held in a peaceful manner.
"The decision to ban the Yatra shows Government is not willing to perform its duty judiciously,' the former UP Chief Minister said.
He also appreciated the media for rallying around the yatra and asked them to be pro-active to protect the rights of the sadhus and saints of the country. "Media is doing exceptionally well in highlighting the problems people are facing and should continue to do so," he said.
Criticising the UPA-II government for its failure in economic front, Singh said that the people are facing economic and cultural insecurity. ''This UPA-II
government is just concerned about its political and electoral security but was least interested about people’s development,'' he said.
The BJP president said it is unfortunate that when western countries are adopting Indian culture, our country men are more inclined towards the western culture.'' This was just as people don't want to be called as non-progressive,'' he stated.
Quoting the an article of renowned US writer liza Miller in Newsweek in 2009, Singh said that she had written that it seems that we al l(US citizen) are becoming Hindu. ''The
article said that as people of US are now adopting Yoga, Ayurveda and turning into vegetarian, so they are adopting Hinduism or Indian culture,'' the former UP CM said.
The BJP president and lok Sabha member said that the act of this UPA-II government could lead the country into a civil war as the disparity in the society has increased only due to lack of inclusive development.
Earlier Singh reached here this evening and was accorded a warm welcome at the airport. Senior BJP leader Virendra Tiwari organized a function at Kanpur road to welcome Singh.