Advani, Singhal to share dais

Sun, Dec 30 12:30 AM

Ram setu has become the centrepiece of the new mantra of "soft Hindutva" that the Sangh Parivar leadership has decided to adopt in an attempt to widen its appeal to the masses in the run-up to the do-or-die saffron bid for power at the Centre in the 2009 parliamentary elections. This comes after the realisation that the contentious Ayodhya temple issue can no longer reap dividends having run out of steam.

On the other hand, the Ram Setu issue, which is not opposed by any particular community, has potential for appealing to different sections of the society in the north and south alike. The Sangh Parivar bosses have plans to orchestrate it into another nationwide movement, on the lines of the Ayodhya movement, in the coming days.

The BJP leadership has pitched in enthusiastically with an eye on Assembly polls in several states in the coming year. It is significant that for the first time since the VHP launched the Ram Setu movement, top BJP leaders like L.K.Advani and Rajnath Singh will be present at an important public meeting on the issue along with Sangh Parivar heavyweights like RSS chief K.S.Sudarshan , Ashok Singhal and Pravin Togadia.

BJP units from many states are involved, along with other RSS-affiliated organisations, in the massive exercise of mobilising cadres to participate in the "mega-rally" planned at Rohini in the Capital on Sunday. Lakhs of people are expected to attend the Rameshwaram Ram Setu Raksha Mahasammelan where top sants of various Hindu sects will congregate to deliberate on the future course of action.

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