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Should the Centre impose President's Rule in Uttar Pradesh to stall VHP's temple designs? Post your views

New Delhi: Heaving a sigh of relief over the manner in which the government handled the Ayodhya situation, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on October 18 rejected Vishwa Hindu parishad (VHP)'s demand for the dismissal of Mulayam Singh government and Congress demand for a ban on the VHP.

"Since no major untoward incident had taken place, there is no rationale for either the dismissal of the UP government or ban on the VHP," BJP president M Venkaiah Naidu said addressing the national executive meeting of the BJP Doctors' Cell.

"Congress wants banning of VHP and not the Muslim League or SIMI. There may be difference of opinion with VHP. But what is the message that it (Congress) is wanting to give," he asked.

Brushing aside Congress accusation of "double standards" by BJP on the Ram temple issue, he said, "Our stand is very clear. We want a magnificent temple for Ram at his birth-place. Let everybody understand this. But we would like it to happen in a proper, dignified and peaceful manner."

Ayodhya and Ram temple was a matter of deep reverence and faith for the Hindus and it was a national issue that involved the faith and belief of millions of Indians, Naidu said, adding, "It cannot and should not be wished away or ignored."

Accusing the "pseudo-secular" parties of placing hurdles in the process, he said that the Muslim community must rise to the occasion and display a strong sense of brotherhood by respecting the sentiments of the majority community.

PTI