EC directive in place, VHP puts message on T-shirts

Despite an EC directive banning usage of the Godhra carnage as an issue during the Gujarat polls, the VHP has found innovative ways to do so without inviting the Commission’s wrath.

The latest gimmick is selling T-shirts for Rs 35. It may appear to be a commercial venture, but the message inscribed on the T-shirts catches your eye. Bright orange flames envelop the words Amara gaam ne Godhra nahi banva daeye (We will not allow our village to become Godhra). The T-shirts have been put up for display at the headquarters. ‘‘Anyone can buy them,’’ VHP joint gen secy Kaushik Mehta says.

The parishad claims to have sold 25,000 T-shirts. ‘‘Our target is to sell 1 lakh T-shirts,’’ asserts Mehta. The T-shirt also has a picture of Chhatrapati Shivaji imprinted on it.

VHP leaders said a 40-feet-long poster of special paper would be prepared. ‘‘The poster will highlight the Godhra events,” says Mehta. He adds the posters will be displayed at the parishad’s Dharma Jagran programme and the Commission could not interfere. The VHP also released audio cassettes of speeches of Dr Pravin Togadia and Acharya Dharmendra to be distributed around the state.