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In recent weeks opposition parties have demanded that the federal government halt arms training by the Bajrang Dal, the militant wing of the Hindu nationalist organization Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), whose political wing is the BJP. Training camps, which have become almost a routine affair, were first held in Ayodhya in June 2000.

Opposition leaders fear that the training is intended to galvanize support for construction of the Ram temple on the site of the centuries-old Babri Mosque, which was demolished by Hindu nationalists in December 1992, and garner support for the BJP in the upcoming state Assembly elections.

Senior officials of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP, World Hindu Council) have said that construction of the temple could begin anytime after March 12.

Organizers of the weapons training programs contend that the instruction is "self-defense against the anti-Hindu forces, such as the Inter Service Intelligence (ISI, Pakistan's intelligence agency) and foreign missionaries.

"We are preparing these able-bodied persons to fight any eventuality," claimed Ved Prakash Sachchan, joint convener of the state unit of the Bajrang Dal. "With the ISI spreading its tentacles, these people are being trained to challenge the anti-Hindu forces."

Uttar Pradesh, with more than 166 million people, is in northern India and borders Nepal.

In Lucknow, from which Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee was elected to parliament, 162 women were trained to wield daggers and lathis (sticks) during a 15-day camp that concluded on June 14 at Saraswati Shishu Mandir. It was conducted by Rashtriya Sevika Samiti, the RSS's women's wing.

An exercise in Sarojini Nagar, Lucknow, was organized by the Bajrang Dal, allegedly in a state guest house, Star News television reported on June 14. Vijay Kumar Malhotra, BJP spokesperson, denied that training was conducted on government property. "It is not proper to conduct the arms training in government-owned properties," he said.

The Bajrang Dal has been giving self-defense training for some time, he said. In August the organization plans to teach 50,000 youth from all over the state to use the trishul, a sort of trident.

Vikas Babu Mishra, a trainee from Unnao, said he learned "how to beat those who do not respect Hinduism." His friend Sadhu Ram added: "Now we are ready to face any eventuality."

Ashok Singhal, acting president of the VHP, said his organization plans an extensive program beginning with the celebration of the anniversary of the Somnath temple in Gujarat on September 18, to be followed by a Ram Naam Yagna—a ritualistic fire offering to Lord Rama—starting October 16. Those dates correspond with the approximate time of the state Assembly elections, for which no firm date has been set. A Chetavani Yatra— awareness movement or march — from Ayodhya to New Delhi would begin January 21 and visit 10,000 villages.

VHP leaders deny that their programs have anything to do with the elections in Uttar Pradesh. "When is the election? It has not been announced," Senior Vice President Acharya Giriraj Kishore told Newsroom. "The VHP has already announced its program. Only cynics can interpret this as an election gimmick."

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June (Web-only) 2001, Vol. 45