VHP warns of violence if stopped

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad on Monday warned that the country will be plunged into violence if Ram bhakts were prevented from reaching Ayodhya for the October 17 mass darshan.

"The [Atal Bihari] Vajpayee government must allow Ram bhakts to travel to Ayodhya and the Mulayam Singh Yadav government must allow them to have darshan of Ram lalla. Otherwise, if the country plunges into communal violence, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee will be responsible," senior VHP leader Pravin Togadia told reporters in New Delhi.

Asked if his remarks amounted to a threat, the VHP leader said: "I am only apprising the government of the position."

"Vajpayee should decide whether he is supporting Mulayam Singh Yadav or the Ram bhakts. People will not tolerate double standards," he said.

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