Express News Service By

Condemning the arrest of controversial godman Asaram Bapu, accused of sexually assaulting a minor, Vishwa Hindu Parishad senior leader Ashok Singhal has alleged that the Congress under the leadership of Sonia Gandhi, as part of a well planned game plan, was targeting the saints to destroy Hindu culture and religion.

Speaking to reporters here on Sunday, Ashok Singhal said since Sonia Gandhi has taken over the leadership of Congress party she was systematically targeting the Hindu saints to demoralise the Hindu population and disgrace the saints.

“Arrest of Jayendra Saraswati of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam in a murder case and Swami Aseemanand in terror attacks on Ajmer Sharif, Mecca Masjid, Malegaon blasts and Samjhauta Express bombings and other saints arrests are part of game plan of the Congress to defame the Hindu saints,’’ he asserted.

“The latest instance of insult that has come up is one involving Asaram Bapu. He is 80-year-old. You arrest him on charges of raping a girl? This is not about his arrest. This is telling the Hindu community that we will finish your feelings of respect towards a religious leader,” he said.

“Hindu culture is being attacked. Our saints are being attacked today. Charges are thrust against saints. Shankaracharya was arrested in Hyderabad in 2004. He was arrested in connection with allegations of murder,” Singhal said.

Criticising the Akhilesh Yadav government for manhandling and humiliating the seers participating in the 84 kosi parikrama yatra, he said such acts will not demoralise the Hindus and the yatra will continue. Can UP government dare to put religious leaders of other communities behind bar or create obstacles in their religious functions?” he questioned.

“In 1947 we got political freedom but we were not liberated culturally and religiously.

The time has come that we culturally and religiously liberate our selves. The Ram Janmabhoomi movement is an effort in this direction and the day is not far when we will achieve our goal. Ram Janmabhoomi movement is not a political but a religious movement to make the country strong and united,” he said.The UPA government has pushed the country into a deep economic crisis with its wrong policies, he alleged and added that the country’s security is at risk. The government instead of sending a strong message to the intruders was trying to compromise on country’s security, he alleged.

On the state bifurcation issue, the VHP leader said the Congress has mishandled the issue. The Congress should have taken the people of Seemandhra into confidence before announcing its decision, he said.