Hectic parleys on Ram Temple at VHP's 'Dharam Sansad'

Hectic parleys among the religious leaders, RSS and senior BJP leaders were witnessed on the opening day of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP)-sponsored two-day 'Dharam Sansad' at Kumbh in Prayagaraj on Thursday.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath met RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat before the 'Dharam Sansad' and reportedly discussed the Ram Temple issue.

Adityanath also met Swami Nischalananda, the Shankaracharya of Puri Peeth and Ram Janambhoomi Trust chairman Mahant Nritya Gopal Das.

Nischalananda later said that Adityanath had sought his support on the issue of Ram Temple.

The seers, while speaking at the 'Dharam Sansad' before more than 3,000 saints from across the country, reiterated their pledge for the Ram Temple and asked the government to remove all obstacles in its way.

"Hindus should be ready to make any sacrifice for the Ram Temple," Baba Ramdev said at the 'Dharam Sansad'.

According to sources in the VHP, the 'Dharam Sansad' could adopt a resolution on Friday setting a date for the temple construction at Ayodhya.

"The VHP is under tremendous pressure after the declaration by the Param Dharam Sansad at Kumbh on Wednesday that Ram Temple construction will begin from February 21," said a VHP leader while speaking to Deccan Herald.

He said that the VHP did not want to be seen as "soft" towards the BJP and the Centre. "We can not afford to be soft on the government," the leader added.

VHP spokesman Sharad Sharma, however, said that foundation stone for the temple had already been laid...now the construction has to start.

The All India Akhara Parishad (AIAP), an apex body of the seers in the country, on Thursday lent support to Swami Swaroopananda, who has called for a march to Ayodhya on February 10 and start temple construction from February 21.

The AIAP has boycotted the VHP-sponsored 'Dharam Sansad' saying that it can not allow any organisation with political leanings (VHP) to lead the Ram Temple movement.