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VHP steps up campaign to replace mosque in Varanasi
NEW DELHI. Mar 5: Hindu extremist* are stepping up a campaign to replace a 17th-century mosque in northern India with a Hindu temple, reviving fears of another explosion of Hindu-Muslim passions, reports AFP.
The outlawed Vlshwa Hindu Parishad (VHP. World Hindu Council) wants to build an elaborate temple dedicated to Shiva, the Hindu God of death, on the site of the Imposing Gyanvapl mosque In the Hindu holy city of Varanasi.
The VHP. which led a drive that resulted In the razing of the Babri mosque In the northern town of Ayodhya In December 1992. claims the Gyanvapl mosque was erected by Moghul King Aurangazeb after destroying a Hindu shrine.
Although the Hindu temple was rebuilt nearby in 1777 by a Hindu queen, the VHP wants the mosque built by the Islamic Invaders to go.
The Hindu and Muslim places of worship have co-existed peacefully for more than two centuries in Varanasi, a city of great significance to Hindus on the banks of the sacred Ganges river.
"The mosque should be removed and a grand Hindu temple should be built at the site." VHP president Vishnu Hari Dalmia told AFP here. "Die mosque is an insult to the Hindu masses."
"Yes. a small temple exists there, but lhat is not enough." he said.
On Monday. 50.000 Hindu extremist* formally, launched a movement in Varanasi to "liberate" the Gyanvapl mosque by praying at the Shiva temple which adjoins the Islamic shrine.
' Thousands of police officers and paramilitary troops ringed the mosque in a bid to prevent an Invasion by the Hindu faithful. some of whom threw earthen pitchers filled with holy water Into the mosque premises.
A similar campaign by the VHP against the 16th century Babri mosque in Ayodhya led to its razing on December 6. 1992 by Hindu fanatics, who quickly built a makeshift temple on the rubble.
The destruction sparked the worst orgy of Hindu-Muslim violence in India since independence, leaving about 2.000 people dead.
Muslims. India's largest religious minority, are worried the movement in Varanasi may take a similar course.
They are fundamentalists who want to create hatred against Muslims." Ahmed Bukhari, deputy priest of the Jama Masjid. India's largest mosque located here, said of the VHP. "The mosque faces real danger."
The Indian government has not commented on the VHP mpvement although all religious shrines are protected by 1991 legislation. Varanasi Is administered by a socialist-led coalition government.