New Delhi: Mounting pressure on the Centre on the Ayodhya issue, VHP (Vishwa Hindu Parishad) on February 5 threatened to launch a "people's movement" if the government failed to allow work on the construction of Ram temple on the acquired land in Ayodhya by February 23.

10,000 saints from across the country will assemble in the national capital for a two-day 'Dharam Sansad' from February 22, VHP international general secretary Praveen Togadia told a press conference in New Delhi.

"They will take a strong decision and a 'jan andolan' (people's movement) will be launched if no step is taken by 18:00 hours of February 23 to allow work for construction of the temple" at Ayodhya, he asserted.

"We are not giving any deadline or ultimatum. We have one-point agenda -- construction work for the temple should start whether at undisputed or dispute land," Togadia said.

To a question, the firebrand leader asserted that the threat this time was "not symbolic" like that witnessed last year when there was "no movement".

"Aap dekhiye. Is bar hum karke dikhayenge. Is bar aar par ho jayega (You see. This time we will do it. This time it will be all out)," he said.

"We expect both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government and the Congress to decide on allowing the temple construction," Togadia said, warning "otherwise there will be a Hindu backlash against those who are not with us causing a major political damage."

PTI