VHP to meet during Nashik Kumbh Mela

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), during the Simahastha Kumbh Mela at Nashik, will attempt to mount pressure on the Centre to construct the Ram temple at Ayodhya.

Besides, they would seek protection of cows and discuss issues like religious conversions.
On September 5, the kendriya margdarshak mandal will meet at the temple town of Trimbakeshwar and the next day on September 6, the sant sammelan will be held in Nashik city.

Around 200 including VHP leaders and office bearers, saints, heads of akhadas and heads of various sects would meet at the kendriya margdarshak mandal. Nearly 10,000 people are expected to attend the sant sammelan, where talks and discourses by top saints and leaders are to be held. People from abroad are also expected to be in Nashik in these two days.

“We are preparing for the kumbh mela in a big way,” said Prof Venkatesh Abdeo, the all India secretary of VHP, told Deccan Herald over phone from Nashik, where he is currently camping and overseeing the arrangements. “Besides our two mega events — the meeting of Kendriya Margdarshak Mandal and sant sammelan — we would do social service and guide people in kumbh mela...we will provide food and water for the pilgrims, set up help-centres to trace people who are lost in crowd and also guide them with travel arrangements,” Prof Abdeo said.
During the two back-to-back meetings on September 5 and 6,  Prof Abdeo said, a lot of issues would be discussed and these include the Ram Janmabhoomi movement.

“We have a burning issue of cow protection and religious conversions...all these issues would be discussed in the meeting and we will be coming out with significant resolutions,” he said, adding that the Nashik kumbh mela would emerge as a guiding force.

Members of the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas, a high-powered committee authorised to take decisions regarding construction of the proposed Ram temple in Ayodhya, would also be coming to Nashik.