Claiming there was nothing religious about Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP)'s 84 Kosi Yatra, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, on Monday, described it as a "political drama" which his government had not allowed to be staged.
"VHP's yatra is not a religious one, but a political drama," Akhilesh said while talking to news agencies at his residence on Monday.
"It was planned ahead of the Lok Sabha polls and the state government has not allowed it to be staged," he added.
Justifying the government's decision to ban the yatra, Yadav said, "It (the ban) was necessary as the yatra was not religious but a political one which could vitiate the communal atmosphere in the state.
"We have banned the yatra after reviewing the situation and all the aspects," he said.
As to VHP leader Ashok Singhal having met him and his father, SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav, before initiating the yatra, Akhilesh said, "Singhal had written a letter seeking an appointment. He met us and sought permission for the yatra.
"But when officials reviewed the request and went through religious traditions, they found there was no (precedent) for a yatra during Chaturmas," he added.
"Such a Parikrama or Yatra was never organised in the past 50 years and, as per Hindu belief, it is performed during 'Chaitra' (April), which has already passed," he clarified.
"In the name of religion, an attempt was made to use saints as a tool, only to fulfil political designs," he said.
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