Two Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leaders have been charged under the Gangster Act for allegedly trying to create communal tension in the twin cities of Ayodhya and Faizabad during Dusshera for the last two years.

Gyan Kesarwani, the vice-president of VHP’s local unit, and Ashok Kumar Gupta, another leader of the outfit were arrested on October 2.

On Thursday evening, Additional District Judge R S Yadav ordered framing of charges under the Gangster Act against the duo.

According to the police, the duo was running a gang involved in criminal activities.

The gang used to commit crimes during festivals with an aim to create communal tension.

“On the occasion of Ram Baraat, Ram Vivaah and Dusshera, Kesarwani and his gang spread rumours that meat pieces were thrown on the route the procession was to take,” said Senior Superintendent of Police (Faizabad) R K S Rathore.

VHP cancels Shila Pujan at Ayodhya
The VHP has put of its plan of holding Shila Pujan at Ayodhya from November 9 to 11 to celebrate 20 years of its Ram temple movement.

The even was supposed to be attended by a large number of VHP activists and Hindu saints.

In November 1989, two lakh VHP supporters had gathered at Ayodhya to attend the Shila Pujan for the construction of its proposed Ram temple at the Babri Masjid site.

While the VHP did not give any reason for the cancellation of the programme, Faizabad SSP R K S Rathore said the administration has denied permission to the outfit for holding the event.

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