First it was Sahmat’s exhibition held in Ayodhya a few months ago. Then last fortnight, the Ramayan Mela, a state government sponsored annual event, also ran into problems over its souvenir, and Union Minister Arjun Singh’s proposed visit to Ayodhya for the event. Interestingly, the Mela Samiti was headed by Mahant Nritya Gopal Das. Who is also the vice-president of the VHP-backed Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas. He resigned from the Samiti after the VHP raised Cain over some remarks carried in the Mela souvenir. Tulsidal, such as “Ram was killed by Lakshman” remarks were carried in articles written by two scholars who had based their writings on the Jataka tales and the Jain Ram Kavya. Copies of the souvenir were burnt and its editor, Dr Ram Shankar Tripathi, was gheraoed by an agitated mob. Charged Paramhans Ramchandra Das, chaitman of the Nyas:“This is a conspiracy against Hindu society.” But Shitla Singh, editor of a local daily, defends the souvenir, saying these writings have been published before, for instance in the Ramayan Kakabeen published by the Uttar Pradesh Hindi Sansthan under BJP rule. Clearly, the dispute was motivated by political rather than religious reasons. The VHP has been associated with the Mela since its inception in 1982, but the invitation to its political foe Arjun Singh provoked a protest this year. Mahant Das now claims the minister was invited without his knowledge. Ultimately, the only sign of prudence in the whole matter was exhibited by Arjun Singh, who decided to stay away rather than fan the controversy further.