The mood at the meet was evident from the fact that when Acharya Dharmendra tried reading a draft resolution expressing anguish over the killings of the Australian missionary Staines and his two sons, he was shouted down by the sadhus present. Instead, a one–line resolution was adopted stating that no one had the right to resort to violence for religion’s sake. But the proceedings at the Dharma Sansad suggested otherwise.

Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and his government came in for strong criticism for "a lack of co–ordination and indecision" in implementing the 40–point ‘Hindu agenda’ adopted in the early ’90s. Calling upon the government to work in close consultation with the religious forces, the PM was asked: "What is your problem over the Hindu agenda? The sants will give you the strength to rule forever." A resolution was adopted expressing "hope" that the BJP government would "display the necessary courage and conviction to implement the Hindu agenda, for which it had got the people’s mandate" and make India a Hindu Rashtra.

The Sansad also attacked Vajpayee for his proposed bus ride to Lahore. "And why should you go in a bus? Go in a tank. Use Bofors guns. Use the bombs which you tested in Pokhran. What for are these? ... You allowed the cricket match, but what is needed is a final match on the battlefield", said Acharya Dharmendra.

The VHP also clarified that the building of the Ram temple in Ayodhya was being delayed not because the matter is in the Supreme Court but because the stone carving work for the temple will take about three more years. It now proposes to start one more workshop in Ayodhya to carve stones for the Ram Mandir at the disputed site, adding to other workshops which have been functioning since September 1990. About 150 pillars of the ‘Garva Griha’ of the temple are complete. A resolution adopted by the Dharam Sansad at Ahmedabad urged the government to remove all hurdles in the way of the Ram temple construction and hand over the land to the Ramjanmabhoomi Nyas. Citing the Shah Bano case, the VHP leaders have argued that the Parliament must simply amend the laws if a Supreme Court judgement goes against the building of the temple. The BJP has meanwhile announced that there is no difference whatsoever between the party and the VHP on the building of the Ram temple in Ayodhya.

Another shocking development at the Sansad, was the plan to revive sati by the beginning of the 52nd
century of the Hindu calendar (beginning of March ‘99), in consonance with the the plans for establishing Hindu Rashtra. International vice-president of the VHP, Acharya Giriraj Kishore said, "‘There is nothing wrong if any woman who cannot bear the separation from her husband opts to join him on his funeral pyre." This move met with disapproval from most of the 50–odd sadhvis present. Sadhvi Paramanandamayi of the Bharat Sewashram’s women’s wing pointed out that sati was often simply a pretext to extort the widow’s property. However, none among the 6,000 sadhus seems to have expressed disapproval.

The Sansad ended on the note of uniting over two hundred crore Buddhists, Jains, Sikhs and Hindus of the world to form an anti–Christian and anti–Islamic "Vishal Hindu Front". Gypsies and other ethnic, pre–Christian faiths are also to be part of the front.

Every sadhu who attended the sansad was assigned a district and given the responsibility to "educate" people in their constituency and to "revive hindutva".

The Sena also strongly criticised the Kalyan Singh government for what it interpreted as "minority appeasement like the Congress", and said the government had deviated from their basic ideology after coming to power. Criticising Kalyan Singh for spending Rs.25 lakh on iftaar parties in a state that is facing financial bankruptcy he said, "If the chief minister is truly secular then he should host similar parties for Hindus during Navratri and for Christians during Christmas", said Tiwari.

Similar protest marches have been planned in all the districts of the state.

Dina Nath Batra, general secretary of Vidya Bharati said, that they were to meet the Home Minister demanding a ban on the book. That was not all though. "The publication and distribution of the book must be stopped forthwith and apology tendered through the media widely, failing which, [in two weeks time], we will start an all–India agitation with the support of 14,000 institutions affiliated to us"

The VHP strategy to challenge missionary activities includes a recent call to all Hindus to boycott missionary schools, so as to "isolate missionaries, who are making money through such institutions".

However, judging by the scenario in Gujarat, where such appeals have been the strongest, the VHP has a long way to go. The four–page VHP leaflet titled ‘Hinduo Jago’ which ended with the words, "Hindu jage...Christie bhage", does not seem to have had any impact so far. Missionary schools have been witnessing large queues, as usual, outside their offices for admissions. When asked about the VHP’s appeal, parents in the queue for admissions said, "We are least concerned. That is all politics. We are only interested in our children receiving good education." Ironically, a VHP activist, Piyush Desai, also in the line for admissions, at the Lourdes school in Surat, admitted when cornered, "It’s a good institution".

In his interview, Sharif made particular reference to the nuclear weapons issue, expressing dissatisfaction with the current three way negotiations because of the US involvement and said,"Let us now begin working at a level where things will work out."

Vajpayee’s steadfast defence of the Indo–Pak cricket series may well have been a major factor in building up the confidence in his Pakistani counterpart to extend the invitation. The visit, some hope, will lead to a radical breakthrough in Indo–Pak talks. In what is considered to be a significant development, Sharif even declared his government’s intention to invite Lata Mangeshkar to Pakistan soon. For his part, Vajpayee declared that there must be more Indo–Pak sporting events as they were the perfect forum for improving relations. The reception the Pakistani team got from spectators during the Tests at Chennai (where Pakistan won) and at Delhi (where India scored) indicates that the mood in the country is definitely tilted towards more friendly relations between the two neighbours.

And as we go to press, a team of 25 MPs from India, representing different parties have flown to Pakistan at the invitation of the Jung group of newspapers (currently under attack from the Nawaz Sharif government) to interact with their political counterparts.