Bangalore: Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) on September 25 appealed for peace during the nationwide bandh called by it on September 26 to protest the massacre of devotees in a terrorist attack at Swaminarayan temple at Gandhinagar in Gujarat and urged Muslims to come out openly against such "anti-national activities".

Condemning the attack, VHP national vice-president Y K Raghavendra Rao told reporters here that it appeared that the terrorists were spreading their tentacles encouraged by what he called "constant criticism of Hindus" for the last six months following the Gujarat communal carnage.

Homage would be paid to the victims in temples during the bandh "to express our strong feelings", he said.

"Those hesitating to condemn Islamic fundamentalism in the name of secularism and for political gains and those supporting such people should also do some introspection," he said.

PTI