Ayodhya dispute: 'Dharm Yuddh' among saints

Along with the holy dip at the 'sangam' and the sermons at different 'ashrams', the Kumbh at Prayagaraj had also been witnessing a sort of 'dharm yuddh' (religious war) among the seers on the vexed issue of Ram temple construction at Ayodhya.

While the 'Param Dharm Sansad', which concluded at Kumbh on Wednesday, declared the Ram temple construction date, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad sponsored 'dharm sansad'' would begin Thursday to discuss the same issue.

The 'Param Dharm Sansad' was chaired by Shankaracharya of Dwarika Peeth, Swami Swaroopananda, who is considered close to the Congress.

'BJP playing politics'

As expected, the shankaracharya blasted the BJP for playing politics on the temple issue and betraying the Hindus.

The VHP, on the other hand, was associated with the BJP and the saints affiliated with it have not so far openly blamed BJP for not fulfilling its promise of constructing the Ram temple.

Differences among the saints on the issue had also surfaced during the 'dharm sabha' organised by the VHP in Ayodhya in November last year.

While a section of the saints had favoured adopting an aggressive approach and taking on the BJP for ''betraying'' the 'Rambhakts', another section of the seers, especially those owing allegiance to VHP, appeared to be more cautious and appealed for restraint.

A section of the saints in Ayodhya had also termed the 'dharm sabha' a ''political gimmick'' of the VHP to ''help'' the saffron party in the next general elections in 2019.

Mahant Dharm Das, a prominent Ayodhya based seer, said that Ram temple should be constructed either on the order of the court or through negotiations with the Muslim parties. ''VHP is indulging in electoral drama...we cannot snatch someone's right by gathering crowds,'' he had remarked.