The VHP’s international general secretary, Pravin Togadia, announced that the group would launch a nationwide campaign to construct a temple for the Hindu deity, Rama, at the mosque’s site in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, starting Aug. 16.

Speaking to the media during his visit to Pune on Saturday, Togadia said more than six million Hindus from 300,000 villages across the country will recite Hindu religious hymns to express Hindu unity to construct the temple.

The VHP will also hold meetings and seminars to create awareness of the issue in 8,000 places across India at the campaign’s conclusion, Togadia said.

In his usual aggressive tone Togadia said, “I would like to relay to all that for the Hindus both the idol of the deity Rama and the place of the idol is very sacred. We have never compromised nor will compromise on any the two sacred issues.”

To a question on the timing of the campaign, Togadia said, “We are all prepared for the construction of the temple at Ayodhya. The stones for the temple are being carved and in the final stage. After the carving is completed, we are prepared to construct the temple.”

Togadia further said that the federal Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government should enact a law to expedite the construction of the temple. “We have chalked out a action plan. The nationwide campaign would continue for three months with the intention of creating awareness for the temple and garnering support from the Hindus. The construction of the temple is a matter of the Hindu faith," Togadia added.

Denying that the campaign was part of vote bank politics, Togadia said that all Hindus across the country should come together on the temple issue. Asserting that the temple would be constructed at the site of the mosque, the aggressive VHP leader said that only a temple will be allowed to be built at the site.

"I appeal to all political parties and the UPA government to help in the construction of the temple at the earliest. The issue of the temple has been pending in the court for several years, and nothing has happened so far," Togadia said.