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Don't celebrate Holi: VHP to Hindus

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad on Thursday asked Hindus not to celebrate Holi "in memory" of those killed in the attack on the Sabarmati Express in Godhra, Gujarat.

The call came after the Sangh Parivar outfit abandoned plans to take the ashes of the Godhra victims across the country.

"The VHP will not celebrate Holi on account of the Godhra carnage. We appeal to all Hindus not to celebrate Holi in protest against the Godhra incident and in memory of the victims," the outfit's senior vice-president, Giriraj Kishore, said in New Delhi.

Asked about the decision of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Home Minister Lal Kishenchand Advani not to celebrate the festival of colours in view of the violence in Gujarat, he said: "Ours is not a pseudo-secular decision."

"Unfortunately, forum of elected representatives are being used to humiliate Hindus," he said.

The VHP leader also gave a clean chit to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi. "What else could he have done [to prevent the riots]?" he asked.

PTI

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