VHP's latest salvo: India needs pro-Hindu Parliament

The country needs to form a pro-Hindu Parliament which is strong enough to protect the rights of Hindus instead of a government which works against the interest of the community, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad has said.

"We want a Parliament which can protect the rights of Hindus and the next 2014 general elections will be on this line," VHP leader Ashok Singhal said at press conference.

"Representation of Hindus should be higher in Parliament; then there will be a proper arrangement in the interest of Hindus," he said.

Singhal said Hindu monks and intellectuals of the community will discuss the issue at the Kumbh Mela next year.

"People are frequently asking us when the Ram temple will be built in Ayodhya and we have to give them answers. The movement on the construction of Ram temple is not the movement of a mere temple construction, but it is closely associated with the dignity of Hindus," he said.

He claimed that during the last ten years, large number of Hindus had been "forced to adopt" Islam or Christianity in the country and this was a matter of concern.

Praising Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, Singhal said Modi successfully protected the rights of Hindu and anti-Hindu elements could not develop during his rule.

Singhal refrained from commenting on Bharatiya Janata Party Member of Parliament Ram Jethmalani and his controversial remarks about Lord Ram.

Jethmalani had said at a function, "Ram was a bad husband. I don't like him at all. Just because some fisherman said something, he sent that poor woman [Sita] to exile."