After claiming that it had convinced a lakh people to convert to Buddhism, the Vishwa Boudh Sangh (VBS) on Thursday decided to postpone its conversion rally to October 5. Blaming the administration for ‘‘non-cooperation,’’ the VBS admitted to ‘‘some internal problems’’ that also led to the postponement. Rally convenor Bhante Sanghpriya said the event would now be held on October 5 (Vijayadashmi). Denying a climbdown from its stand, Bhante blamed the administration’s ‘‘indifferent approach’’ for the postponement. ‘‘We requested them to provide security at the venue so that no untoward incident takes place. But we were told that if something happens we can call on 100. This is no assurance,’’ Bhante said.Police Commissioner Sudhir Sinha denied allegations of not taking the VBS application seriously. ‘‘They met me about a fortnight ago. I told them to give an application and said we will make necessary arrangements. But they never got back to us,’’ Sinha said.On internal problems, Bhante said: ‘‘Our national president Bhante Buddhyapriya Rahul was busy with a convention in Canada because of which he could not make it.’’ He added that he had collected forms from 65,000 people so far. ‘‘We are hopeful of getting one lakh on October 5,’’ he asserted.He reiterated he had been receiving threats from activists of the VHP but Parishad unit chief Ajay Joshi was not available for comment, VHP functionaries denied any plans of disruption. ‘‘Since he has not failed to convince anyone, he’s trying to save face,’’ one of them said.
