Vinay Katiyar is a BJP politician from the state of Uttar Pradesh in India. He was defacto founder of the Bajrang Dal, and its first president. He still held this post when the demolition of the Babri mosque took place on 6 Dec, 1992, an event in which many Bajrang Dal members took part. It is largely through his efforts that the Dal now has a mass base in the states of Gujarat and Orissa (roughly 1,300,000 members). After handing over the reigns of the Dal to Jaibhan Singh Pawaiya, Vinay Katiyar joined the BJP. He was Lok Sabha member from Faizabad(Ayodhya)in the 13th Lok Sabha from 1999-2004, and was the President of the Uttar Pradesh State Unit of the BJP from 2002 to July 18, 2004.

Because of his outspoken support for many Hindu political causes, he often finds himself at loggerheads with large sections of the Muslim population, who accuse him of being "anti-Muslim".

Ayodhya issue

Criminal charges have been brought against him in the Babri Masjid demolition case. He has sometimes taken credit for his involvement in the demolition, and claimed to be proud of it, at other times (or even simultaneously) blaming everything on the INC government of the day. He has always supported the construction of a temple on the site, often clashing with NDA allies like the Janata Dal (United) in Parliament. He has raised the issue again and again in 2003 by writing letters to members of Parliament, organising "jagran yatras", etc.

End of presidency

On July 18, 2004 he was asked to resign from the post of President of the Uttar Pradesh State Unit of the BJP after a poor showing in the Lok Sabha poll. He submitted his resignation but questioned a lack of reason behind the request, stating “Even a criminal is told the reasons for awarding him punishment.”

External links

• "BJP takes UP away from Vinay Katiyar" (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/782813.cms) - The Times of India article dated July 19, 2004
• "Vinay Katiyar sacked as UP BJP chief" (http://www.navhindtimes.com/stories.php?part=news&Story_ID=07194) - The Navhind Times article dated July 19, 2004