Vishva Hindu Parishad

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Independent authors Swapan Dasgupta Dharampal Koenraad Elst François Gautier Ram Gopal Sita Ram Goel Girilal Jain Rama Jois Christophe Jaffrelot Bojil Kolarov K. S. Lal Rajiv Malhotra K. R. Malkani Harsh Narain Ramesh Nagaraj Rao Yvette Rosser Ram Swarup H. V. Sheshadri Dattopant Thengadi
Hinduism

The Vishva Hindu Parishad (IAST: Viśva Hindū Pariṣada, pronunciation: /vɪʃv(ə) hɪnd̪uː pərɪʃəd̪/, translation: World Hindu Council), abbreviated VHP, is an Indian right-wing Hindu nationalist organisation based on the ideology of Hindutva. It was founded in 1964 by M. S. Golwalkar and S. S. Apte in collaboration with Swami Chinmayananda. Its main objective is "to organise, consolidate the Hindu society and to serve, protect the Hindu Dharma."^[1]

The VHP belongs to the Sangh Parivar,^[4][5] an umbrella of Hindu nationalist organisations led by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). It has been involved in social service projects in India^[6][7] such as construction and renovation of Hindu temples, issues of cow slaughter, religious conversion, the Ayodhya dispute and its role in the Babri Masjid demolition.

History

The VHP was founded in 1964 by RSS leaders M. S. Golwalkar and S. S. Apte in collaboration with the Hindu spiritual leader Chinmayananda.^[8][9] The delegation of the founders included Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan founder K. M. Munshi, Gujarati scholar Keshavram Kashiram Shastri, Sikh leader Master Tara Singh, Namdhari Sikh leader Satguru Jagjit Singh and eminent politicians such as C. P. Ramaswamy Iyer.^[10][11] Chinmayananda was nominated as its founding President, while Apte was nominated as its founding General Secretary. It was decided at the meeting that the name of the proposed organisation would be "Vishva Hindu Parishad" and that a world convention of Hindus was to be held at Prayag (Allahabad) during Kumbha Mela of 1966 for its launch. It was further decided that it would be a non-political organisation and that no office bearer of any political party shall be simultaneously an office bearer in the Parishad.^[11]

The VHP, which considers Buddhists, Jains and Sikhs as well as native tribal religions as part of the greater Hindu fraternity, officially mentions that it was founded by the "Saint Shakti of Bharat". The VHP was first mooted at a conference in Pawai, Sandipani Sadhanalaya, Bombay on 29 August 1964. The conference was hosted by RSS chief M. S. Golwalkar. The date was chosen to coincide with the festival of Janmashtami. Several representatives from the Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist and Jain faiths were present in the meeting, as well as the Dalai Lama. Golwalkar explained that "all faiths of Indian origins need to unite", saying that the word "Hindu" (people of "Hindustan") applied to adherents of all the above religions.^[12] Apte declared:

The world has been divided to Christian, Islam and communist. All of them view Hindu society as very fine rich food on which to feast and fatten themselves. It is necessary in this age of conflict to think of and organise the Hindu world to save it from the evils of all the three.^[12]

Its main objective is "to organise, consolidate the Hindu society and to serve, protect the Hindu Dharma."^[1] It has been involved in social service projects and in encouraging the construction and renovation of Hindu temples. It is against the caste system, opposes cow slaughter and conversions to other religions. Defending Hindus around the world and Hindu rights has been one of its stated objectives.^[13] The other main objective which it has been involved with is the Ayodhya dispute.^[1]

The organisation acts under the guidance from Dharma Sansad a religious parliament of Gurus.^[10] The VHP is associated with the Sangh Parivar, an umbrella of Hindu nationalist. Its slogan is Dharmo rakṣati rakṣitaḥ, which means "Dharma protects its protector" and its symbol is the banyan tree. The current international president of VHP is Raghava Reddy,^[3] while its executive president is Praveen Togadia.^[3]

Social activities

Vishva Hindu Parishad is active in social welfare work^[14][15]

• Medical - People are trained in villages to provide primary health care and referral services. The organisation also conducts medical check-up camps.^[15]
• Vocational training - Organisation is running self-employment training camps in Bihar, Punjab, Rajasthan, Maha Kaushal, Assam, Brij Pradesh, Orissa and Maharashtra. The training areas involve farming techniques, bee-keeping, agriculture, horticultural techniques, animal husbandry and sewing.^[16] There are 959 training centres currently operating.^[15]
• Education - It tried to provide educational facilities in remote area. It supports 3266 educational facilities.^[15]
• Social welfare - Organisation runs 45 orphanages, marriage bureaux, help centres, rescue centres, and working women hostels. VHP is also active in environmental causes such as tree plantations. Social services are provided in religious pilgrimages, emergency help during natural calamities and rural development.^[15][17]
• Relief services - Vishwa Hindu Parishad has provided emergency Relief services. In 2014 Jammu and Kashmir floods, Vishwa Hindu Parishad organised medical and relief camps. These services provided relief via medical camps to 1400 patients.^[18][19]

Ayodhya dispute

The VHP had been involved in the dispute over the Ram Janmabhoomi, or Babri Mosque, for twenty years before its demolition. This activity involved demonstrations, petitions and litigation. According to the VHP and its affiliated organisations, the Babri Mosque was built by demolishing the temple at the birthplace of Rama (Ram Janmabhoomi) by the Mughal Emperor Babur in the 16th century. It further stated in Allahabad court documentation that the building was in a dilapidated condition. It was in ruins and could not be used for worship or any activities .^[20][21]

Child organisations

Local office of Vishva Hindu Parishad, at Haridwar

The Bajrang Dal is the youth wing of the VHP, and it is organised in many states in major training camps called shakhas, where thousands of young men simultaneously train in various activities, receive sports, education in Hindutva and cultural education. The Durga Vahini, founded in 1991 under the tutelage of Sadhvi Rithambara as its founding chairperson and the support of the VHP, is described as the "female arm of the Dal". Members of the Vahini contend that the portrayal of their group as a branch of the Bajrang Dal is an oversimplification, and that their goals are to "dedicate ourselves to spiritual, physical, mental and knowledge development".^[22] The VHP also have divisions made up of women. VHP secretary Giri Raj Kishore charted out highly visible roles for women in the group. He charted out two "satyagrahas" for women during their demonstrations.^[23]

The VHP has been a prime backer of the World Hindu Conference in which issues such as casteism, sectarianism, and the future of Hindus were discussed. Prior Conferences have included Hindu Groups such as Parisada Hindu Dharma.^[24]

Religious activity

VHP organises programmes to reconvert Hindus who had previously converted to Christianity or Islam through their trained missionaries called Dharma Prasaar Vibhag (Dharma Propagation Unit), some of them were sent to remote villages and tribal areas which have substantial Christians and Muslims population. On 4 March 2004, more than 200 Christians were reconverted in a ceremony organised by the VHP in the state of Orissa, part of its plan to reconvert 400,000 tribal Christians. According to them, the tribal folk were lured for monetary benefits and Christian missionaries were there to convert them under the pretext of community service. They claim that Vanvasis (Tribals) are part of Hindu culture.^[25] The Christian community denied this and six women were beaten for refusing to reconvert to Hinduism. Religious conversions is a debated topic in Orissa.^[26]

In Punjab, the VHP has played an active role to prevent conversions of Sikhs. Majority of them are low caste Sikhs converting to Christianity. This may be a result of oppression by high caste Sikhs but there are considerable free will conversions among the higher class Sikhs too; however, the VHP have forcibly stopped Christian missionaries from converting Sikhs.^[27]

The VHP collaborated with Christian Association for Social Action and played an active part in providing relief to both Hindu and Christian families affected by the Love Jihad activity in Kerala during 2003 – 2013 period.^[28]

The then vice-president^[29] of VHP Swami Lakshmanananda Saraswati was killed in 2008 in his Ashram. The VHP accused Christians for the murder of Swami Lakshmanananda,^[30] Maoist militants had claimed responsibility for the killing. All the seven accused in the murder case were found guilty and awarded life imprisonment.^[31][32][33]

VHP engaged in reconversion program, involving both voluntary and forced reconversion.^[2][26] In the resulting disorder, Christian settlements were set on fire,^[34] and 250 Christians were forced to flee their villages.^[35] A Catholic nun was raped during the violence and Roman Catholic Church priest said that at least 7 Christians were killed.^{[30][36][37][38]} A judicial commission probing the violence said that conversion and re-conversion were among the major factors that led to the disorder, without blaming any religious groups or the CPI (Maoist).^[39]

The VHP continues to defend instances of anti-Christian violence, such as the demolition of a church in Haryana, although it has denied involvement in this incident.^[40] VHP joint general secretary Surendra Jain alleged that the church was built "for the purpose of aggressive conversion" and likened its destruction to the violence of the 1857 war which he claimed "was fought for the cause of religion".

International presence

Vishwa Hindu Parishad is active in many countries outside of India.

United States

Known as VHPA, the VHP in the United States advocates for human rights for Hindus around the world. They also offer Hindu Pandits to serve the Hindu community, and usually hold rituals around the nation where members are invited. The VHPA has also organised many charitable causes, such as raising money for the victims of Typhoon Haiyan in 2013, and the Fiji flood victims of 2012.^[41]

United Kingdom

The VHPUK, is the British branch of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, which has held demonstrations in London for the rights of Hindus in Bangladesh and Pakistan. It offers many Hindu services such as priests and matrimonial services. VHPUK has been vocal advocates of the pro-life movement, and stands against abortion.^[42]

Germany

Vishwa Hindu Parishad has a temple in Frankfurt, offers Bhagavad Gita classes and recites the Ramayana.^[43][44]

Canada

The VHP is active in Vancouver, Toronto, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Ottawa and other major Canadian cities.^[45]

Australia, New Zealand & Fiji

The Vishva Hindu Parishad is gaining popularity in these countries. The Australia wing of Vishva Hindu Parishad conducts activities such conducting weekend schools, language classes, cultural workshops, festivals. The festivals are also organised for open to all communities promoting Unity in Diversity.^[46] The press release from city council of Holroyd state that Vishva Hindu Parishad is active in supporting multiculturalism in the same region.^[47] In March 2014, the VHP had its first National Hindu Council in Fiji and New Zealand. The VHP has established a Vedic school in Sydney, has temples and organised 3 National Hindu conferences in 2014.^[48]

See also

• Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh
• Hindutva
• Bajrang Dal

References

Bibliography

• Clarke, Peter (2004). Encyclopedia of New Religious Movements. Routledge. ISBN 0-203-48433-9. 
• Jaffrelot, Christophe (2011). Religion, Caste, and Politics in India. C Hurst & Co. ISBN 978-1849041386. 
• Juergensmeyer, Mark (1993). The New Cold War? Religious Nationalism Confronts the Secular State. University of California Press. ISBN 0-520-08651-1. 
• Katju, Manjari (2013). Vishva Hindu Parishad and Indian Politics. Orient Blackswan. ISBN 81-250-2476-X. 
• Kumar, Praveen (2011). Communal Crimes and National Integration: A Socio-Legal Study. Readworthy Publications. ISBN 93-5018-040-5. 
• Smith, David James (2003). Hinduism and Modernity. Blackwell Publishing. ISBN 0-631-20862-3. 

External links

• Official website

Sangh Parivar (RSS Family of Organisations) Organisations Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Bharatiya Janata Party Swadeshi Jagaran Manch Bharatiya Kisan Sangh Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh Bharatiya Vichara Kendra Vishva Hindu Parishad Muslim Rashtriya Manch Rashtriya Sikh Sangat Vanavasi Kalyan Ashram Hindu Vivek Kendra Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad Bajrang Dal Durga Vahini Hindu Munnani Seva Bharati Vidya Bharati Balagokulam Vivekananda Kendra Rashtra Sevika Samiti Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad Ekal Vidyalaya Sarsanghchalak Keshav Baliram Hedgewar (1925–1930 and 1931–1940) Laxman Vaman Paranjpe (1930–1931) Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar (1940–1973) Madhukar Dattatraya Deoras (1973–1994) Rajendra Singh (1994–2000) K. S. Sudarshan (2000–2009) Mohan Bhagwat (2009–present) Other Major figures Vinayak Damodar Savarkar Balkrishna Shivram Moonje Syama Prasad Mukherjee Deendayal Upadhyaya Prabhakar Balwant Dani Babasaheb Apte Dadasaheb Apte Moropant Pingley Madhukar Rao Bhagwat Eknath Ranade H. V. Sheshadri Dattopant Thengadi Atal Bihari Vajpayee Lal Krishna Advani Murli Manohar Joshi Jana Krishnamurthi Kushabhau Thakre Narendra Modi Arun Jaitley Bal Thackeray Swami Chinmayananda Ashok Singhal Giriraj Kishore Praveen Togadia Ramchandra Das Paramhans Independent authors Sita Ram Goel Ram Swarup Girilal Jain Dharampal Ram Gopal Rama Jois Harsh Narain Ramesh Nagaraj Rao Arun Shouri Koenraad Elst François Gautier Philosophy Hindutva Hindu nationalism Gandhian socialism Integral humanism Akhand Bharat Uniform civil code Indigenous Aryans Hindu nationalism Hindutva Bengali Hindu Homeland Movement Bangabhumi Hindu Rashtra Panun Kashmir Banga Sena Topics Persecution of Hindus Shuddhi Ram Janmabhoomi Shah Bano case Ghar Wapsi

Hindu Nationalism General ideology Hindu Nationalism Hindutva Uniform civil code of India Saffronisation Organisations Abhinav Bharat Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad Bangabhumi Banga Sena Bharatiya Janata Party Shiv Sena Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Vishva Hindu Parishad Hindu Munnani Hindu Rashtra Hindu Janajagruti Samiti Panun Kashmir Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party Bharatiya Janshakti Party Akhil Bharatiya Jan Sangh Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Mahasabha Shanti Party Nepal Hindu Prajatantrik Party Hindu Mahasabha Defunct organisations Bharatiya Jana Sangh Akhil Bharatiya Ram Rajya Parishad Leaders Vinayak Damodar Savarkar M. S. Golwalkar Dr. K. B. Hedgewar Dattopant Thengadi Syama Prasad Mookerjee Deendayal Upadhyaya Subramanian Swamy Nanaji Deshmukh Kailashpati Mishra Lal Krishna Advani Murli Manohar Joshi Bal Thackeray Narendra Modi Events and controversies Demolition of the Babri Masjid 1970 Bhiwandi Riots