National

"Can't Send It Officially"

A first-hand encounter with the VHP's international conduit

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"Can't Send It Officially"
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HOW does the VHP collect money abroad and get it across home? Outlook found out by posing as a prospective London-based donor for the Ram temple at Ayodhya and contacting VHP functionaries.

Bal Krishan Nayak, looking after donations in the VHP's Sankat Mochan Mandir in Delhi, said: "If you are keen only on giving foreign currency, then get in touch with our UK general secretary, Kishore Bhai Ruparellia." His address and telephone number are provided.

When contacted in his home in Thornton Heath, Surrey, Ruparellia said it was not possible to send money "officially". "There are a lot of political hassles right now," he said. "I will try to get you the addresses of the VHP affiliates which have fcra status. Please give me your fax and telephone numbers." He is, however, quick to point out that the money could be sent directly to the Ayodhya Trust in rupees.

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In fact, he told Outlook's London correspondent: "The VHP in Britain has not sent a penny for the temple. Nor have the other Hindu organisations here as far as I know." He further went on to say that there is no lack of wealth in India. "They do not need our money. An amount of Rs 15 crore is needed for the temple, that's not such a big amount that it can't be raised in Bharat."

Back home, Nayak is informed that his counterpart in London was yet to furnish the addresses of the affiliates and the methods to send the foreign currency for the temple. "You might have to wait for some time to send pounds sterling to India. There will be some routine arrangements (which he does not specify). It might take even five months," says Nayak.

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Nayak adds that the VHP's affiliate, Bharat Kalyan Pratishthan, involved in working for the tribals, could accept foreign contributions-even if it was meant for the temple. This would then simply have to be re-routed.

"The temple work is carrying on. Preparations are on in three places in Rajasthan and Ayodhya where masons and artisans are at work. We will overcome problems. It might be time-consuming but the mandir will happen," he says.

For the record, the VHP claims it receives no foreign donations. But it's had several international conferences in New York, Copenhagen, The Hague, Africa, Kathmandu, Singapore and Milton Keynes, UK.

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