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VHP disagrees with PM's views on conversions

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad today differed with Prime Minister A B Vajpayee on his refusal to bring in legislation to ban conversions, but declared that it would mobilise mass opinion to bring pressure on the Centre in this regard.

Newly appointed VHP international secretary general Praveenbhai Togadia told newsmen in New Delhi that he, however, welcomed the prime minister's suggestion for a public debate on conversions.

To a question, he said the Dharam Sansad, which would meet in Ahmedabad for three days from February 5, would chalk out the programme for mobilising public opinion on a legislation for banning conversions. It would also take an "appropriate decision" on the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya.

Reiterating that the VHP and the Bajrang Dal had nothing to do with the attacks on churches in Dangs district in Gujarat, which had snowballed into a major controversy attracting international attention. He said the trouble might not spread to other areas in the country. "People have been living together for centuries. We have given protection to Parsis and Jews," he said and added that the problem in Gujarat was between converted tribals and non-converts.

At least 24 temples had been desecrated in the last five years, he alleged.

UNI

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