Kolkata: Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) today (Mar 2, 2004) flayed the Vajpayee Government for "wasting time" by pursuing a peace process with Pakistan and attacked the decision to send the Indian cricket team to play matches in the neighbouring country.

Togadia also accused the political parties, including BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party), of joining the "mad race" for Muslim votes ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, leaving the country "open to grave danger on the national security front as it gave time to the jehadi forces to fortify themselves".

"We are wasting time on the Indo-Pak peace process for which Pakistan is not sincere. In fact, Pakistan is taking India for a ride as a part of its long term geo-political strategy, just as China did in 1950 in the name of Hindi-Chini bhai bhai slogan before attacking India in 1962," VHP International general secretary Pravin Togadia told a press conference.

"If Pakistan was really sincere about the peace efforts, the country should have handed over Dawood Ibrahim and his associates who were responsible for the Mumbai bomb blast and Azahar Masood, responsible for the Kandahar hijack," he said.

Attacking the decision clearing Indian cricket team's tour of Pakistan, the VHP leader asked, "When Pakistan is sending terrorists and bombs, should we send cricketers?''

To a specific query whether he was against sending the cricket team, Togadia replied, ''It is a question of priority. We have to decide which is our priority whether it is the country's security or sending the cricket team. India can send the team when the situation becomes normal.''

Togadia said the political parties in the country have virtually shut their eyes to the "expanding jehadi network" in the country even when the Interpol and Western agencies had warned about terrorist strikes in India.

VHP would prepare the Indian citizens to supplement the police as had been done in Israel since it was not possible to deploy police in every corner of the country, he said.

It would form "suraksha samities" and "security committees" to protect schools, colleges, temples, markets, railway stations and other public places, he said.

To a question whether he would hold the Prime Minister responsible for ignoring the country's security, the VHP leader said, ''Anyone not safeguarding the Indian citizens will be held responsible.''

Despite India's attempt to have friendship with Pakistan, terrorist strikes in Kashmir have not stopped, Togadia said.