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Paramhans looks to avoid confrontation with government

Sharat Pradhan in Ayodhya

Realising that the unprecedented security arrangements in the ancient town may not allow them to fulfil their mission of performing a puja on the acquired land adjoining the disputed site in Ayodhya, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad has been looking for some face-saving measure.

This became clear from the remarks of the Ram Janambhoomi Nyas chief and Ayodhya 's most vociferous seer, Mahant Ramchandra Paramhans, who suddenly changed tack on Monday.

Paramhans, who showed up at the VHP's workshop near 'Karsewakpuram', told reporters, "I have now decided to perform the shila pujan here itself following which I propose to make an offering of one of these 'shilas' (stone columns) to Lord Ram."

"I do not need anyone to assist me in this; I will do it alone," he added.

Declining to say how he would reach the disputed site, where a makeshift temple stands on the debris of the 16th century Babri Masjid, he said, "It may not be necessary for me to go all the way to the temple. It could be received by anyone entrusted with the responsibility of the temple."

This appears to be a sharp change from his earlier adamant stand of not settling for anything less than a 'symbolic puja' in one corner of the land that the VHP claims to be undisputed.

Paramhans's appearance at the workshop amidst hundreds of carved stone columns was unscheduled. He proposes to stay in an enclosure at the workshop until the afternoon of March 15, the date for the puja.

The seer's stand is being interpreted as a bid to carry out a ritual of just handing over a carved stone column to the official receiver of the disputed property -- none other than the divisional commissioner of Faizabad.

Commissioner Anil Kumar Gupta, however, flatly denied any knowledge of such plans. "I am required to maintain the status quo as per the order of the apex court and I am confident of doing so without having to use force," he told rediff.com

A visibly mellowed Paramhans did not, however, fight shy of flaying the Centre's "betrayal". "If the prime minister had to ultimately get bound by a vague order of the Supreme Court," he said, "why did he invite us for talks and gave us all kinds of assurances?"

VHP working president Ashok Singhal also arrived in the temple town on Monday evening, but declined to speak to the media. He was said to be confabulating with prominent saints in Ayodhya.

Meanwhile, the entry of journalists to both 'Ramsewakpuram' (the new camp for karsewaks) and 'Karsewakpuram' stands virtually banned. "It is our humble request to all media persons to leave us alone for some time," the VHP's media manager, Sharad Sharma, said.

The Ayodhya Issue: Complete Coverage

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