VHP criticises anti-terror edict

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has objected to the targeting of certain organisation by the government through the unlawful activities ordinance.

The ordinance says Sections 153 (a) of the Indian Penal Code through which organisations like the VHP and the RSS had been banned in the past will be strengthened.

The anti-terror ordinance, according to Home Minister Shivraj Patil will also apply to organisations which spread communal tension.

The VHP protested that the home minister was targeting them and others of the saffron brigade. "The minister mentioned us by name, and we protest this," said VHP leader Acharya Giriraj Kishore.

"The law is a way of imposing a particular ideology through terror and not a fight of principles. I am surprised that despite our right to ideological freedom, the IPC's help is being taken for these purposes," he said.

The VHP will set up legal cells to study the ordinance and, if needed, challenge it in court. The VHP has, however, decided to tread carefully after the enactment of the ordinance.

This is evident from the fact that the "trishul diksha" programme, which was to begin this month, has been put off. Even on the issue of the Afzal Khan tomb, the VHP has decided to maintain a discreet silence.

Remarking that those in the power should have the moral courage to fight us on principles, Kishore said: "Institutions do not die because of bans, they are in fact rejuvenated."

Meanwhile, Union Minister of State for Home Sri Prakash Jaiswal said the proposed unlawful activities (prevention) law would deal with terrorists and terrorist outfits, including those who "terrorise" people in the garb of a "communal agenda".

"The proposed law for prevention of terrorist activities has been drafted to deal with all terrorist organisations and their members terrorising the common people in the garb of their communal agendas," he said.