Declare India a Hindu Rashtra or let me kill myself: Ayodhya saint writes to Prez Kovind

In an unexpected development, Mahant Paramhans Das of Tapasvi Chhavni Ayodhya, has written a letter to President Ram Nath Kovind listing his seven demands.

He has sought permission to end his life if the demands are not met.

Copies of the letter have been forwarded to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, home minister Amit Shah, chief minister Yogi Adityanath and district magistrate of Ayodhya.

According to the Mahant, his charter of demands is in national interest and 'aims at preventing another division of the country.'

The demands include a law for population control, implementation of the uniform civil code, declaring India as a Hindu Rashtra, free education for girls, employment for youth, declaring cow as a protected national entity and declaring Ramayana as a national  epic and making it a part of all syllabus.

The Mahant said, "I have sent this letter with seven demands to President. If the demands cannot be fulfilled, I should be given permission to end my life."

The Mahant, in October, had proceeded on indefinite fast support of his demand for a Hindu Rashtra. He was forced to end his fast by the police when his condition started deteriorating.