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{{Hindu politics}}
{{Hindu politics}}


'''Viśva Hindu Pariṣad''' (pronunciation: {{IPA|/vɪʃv(ə) hɪnd̪uː pərɪʃəd̪/}}, {{lang-en|World Hindu Council}}), abbreviated '''VHP''', is a [[Hindu]] organisation in [[India]]. Founded in 1964,<ref>{{cite journal | last = Kurien |first = Prema |authorlink=Prema Kurien |title = Religion, ethnicity and politics: Hindu and Muslim Indian immigrants in the United States|journal = Ethnic and Racial Studies|volume = 24 | issue = 2 |pages = 268|year = 2001}}</ref> its main objective is to organise - consolidate the Hindu society and to serve - protect the Hindu Dharma.<ref name="vhp main objective">[http://vhp.org/swagatam VHP main objective]</ref> The VHP volunteers are known for their efforts to promote and revive Hinduism and to develop unity and pride among all Hindus by its [[social service]] projects, encouraging the construction and renovation of Hindu temples, campaigning against social evils and orthodox practices in Hinduism, opposing [[cattle|cow]] slaughter, opposing conversions to other religions and taking up issues in the interest of Hindus such as the [[Ayodhya dispute]].<ref name="vhp main objective"/>
'''Viśva Hindu Pariṣad''' (pronunciation: {{IPA|/vɪʃv(ə) hɪnd̪uː pərɪʃəd̪/}}, {{lang-en|World Hindu Council}}), abbreviated '''VHP''', is a [[Hindu]] organisation in [[India]] and is based on the ideology of ''[[Hindutva]]''. Founded in 1964,<ref>{{cite journal | last = Kurien |first = Prema |authorlink=Prema Kurien |title = Religion, ethnicity and politics: Hindu and Muslim Indian immigrants in the United States|journal = Ethnic and Racial Studies|volume = 24 | issue = 2 |pages = 268|year = 2001}}</ref> its main objective is to organise - consolidate the Hindu society and to serve - protect the Hindu Dharma.<ref name="vhp main objective">[http://vhp.org/swagatam VHP main objective]</ref> The VHP volunteers are known for their efforts to promote and revive Hinduism and to develop unity and pride among all Hindus by its [[social service]] projects, encouraging the construction and renovation of Hindu temples, campaigning against social evils and orthodox practices in Hinduism, opposing [[cattle|cow]] slaughter, opposing conversions to other religions and taking up issues in the interest of Hindus such as the [[Ayodhya dispute]].<ref name="vhp main objective"/>


The VHP is associated with the ''[[Sangh Parivar]]'', an umbrella of [[Hindu nationalism|Hindu nationalist]] organisations which also includes the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP) and the [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]] (RSS). 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|G. Raghava Reddy]],<ref name="vhp president"/> while its executive president is [[Praveen Togadia]].<ref name="vhp president"/>
The VHP is associated with the ''[[Sangh Parivar]]'', an umbrella of [[Hindu nationalism|Hindu nationalist]] organisations which also includes the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP) and the [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]] (RSS). 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|G. Raghava Reddy]],<ref name="vhp president"/> while its executive president is [[Praveen Togadia]].<ref name="vhp president"/>


==History==
==History==
The VH) organization was founded in 1964 by [[Keshavram Kashiram Shastri]]. The other co-founders were the Hindu spiritual leader [[Chinmayananda|Swami Chinmayananda]], former RSS member S.S. Apte, Supreme Spiritual Head of the Namdhari Sikhs Sri Satguru Jagjit Singh Ji and Sikh leader [[Master Tara Singh]] as one of the co-founders.<ref name="rss founders">[http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=c9058d8c-f3e6-4b55-9e0a-836fd43534fa&ParentID=173c4c85-f6ce-49cc-92cc-33afa7bc2283&&Headline=A+lethal+cocktail+of+religion+and+politics A lethal cocktail of religion & politics] Hindustan Times – 27 July 2007</ref> Swami Chinmayananda was nominated as its founding President, while Apte was nominated as its founding General Secretary.<ref name="rss founders"/> The VHP, which considers [[Buddhism|Buddhist]]s, [[Jainism|Jain]]s and [[Sikhism|Sikh]]s 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, [[Mumbai]] on 29 August 1964. The conference was hosted by RSS Sarsanghchalak [[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 [[Tenzin Gyatso, 14<sup>th</sup> Dalai Lama|Dalai Lama]]. Golwalkar explained that "all faiths of Indian origins need to unite", saying that the word "Hindu" (i.e. people of "Hindustan") applied to adherents of all the above religions.<ref name="Smith">Smith, David James, Hinduism and Modernity P189, Blackwell Publishing ISBN 0-631-20862-3</ref> Apte declared:
The VHP was founded in 1964 by [[Keshavram Kashiram Shastri]]. The other co-founders were the Hindu spiritual leader [[Chinmayananda|Swami Chinmayananda]], former RSS member S.S. Apte, Supreme Spiritual Head of the Namdhari Sikhs Sri Satguru Jagjit Singh Ji and Sikh leader [[Master Tara Singh]] as one of the co-founders.<ref name="rss founders">[http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=c9058d8c-f3e6-4b55-9e0a-836fd43534fa&ParentID=173c4c85-f6ce-49cc-92cc-33afa7bc2283&&Headline=A+lethal+cocktail+of+religion+and+politics A lethal cocktail of religion & politics] Hindustan Times – 27 July 2007</ref> Swami Chinmayananda was nominated as its founding President, while Apte was nominated as its founding General Secretary.<ref name="rss founders"/> The VHP, which considers [[Buddhism|Buddhist]]s, [[Jainism|Jain]]s and [[Sikhism|Sikh]]s 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, [[Mumbai]] on 29 August 1964. The conference was hosted by RSS Sarsanghchalak [[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 [[Tenzin Gyatso, 14<sup>th</sup> Dalai Lama|Dalai Lama]]. Golwalkar explained that "all faiths of Indian origins need to unite", saying that the word "Hindu" (i.e. people of "Hindustan") applied to adherents of all the above religions.<ref name="Smith">Smith, David James, Hinduism and Modernity P189, Blackwell Publishing ISBN 0-631-20862-3</ref> Apte declared:


{{quote|The world has been divided to [[Christanity|Christian]], [[Islam]] and [[Communism|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 organize the Hindu world to save it from the evils of all the three|.<ref name="Smith"/>}}
{{quote|The world has been divided to [[Christanity|Christian]], [[Islam]] and [[Communism|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 organize the Hindu world to save it from the evils of all the three|.<ref name="Smith"/>}}
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*To consolidate and strengthen the Hindu Society.
*To consolidate and strengthen the Hindu Society.
*To protect, promote and propagate Hindu values of life, the ethical and the spiritual in the context of modern times.
*To protect, promote and propagate Hindu values of life, the ethical and the spiritual in the context of modern times.
*To keep in touch with all the Hindus living abroad, and to organize and help them in all possible ways in protecting their Hindu identity also popularly known as [[Hindutva]].
*To keep in touch with all the Hindus living abroad, and to organize and help them in all possible ways in protecting their Hindu identity, also popularly known as ''Hindutva''.


The motto of the organization is "Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitah" (धर्मो रक्षति रक्षितः) meaning "[[Dharma]] protects its protector".
The motto of the organisation is "Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitah" (धर्मो रक्षति रक्षितः) meaning "[[Dharma]] protects its protector".


===Ayodhya dispute===
===Ayodhya dispute===

Revision as of 09:12, 29 January 2013

Viśva Hindu Pariṣad
विश्व हिन्दू परिषद
FoundedAugust 29, 1964 (1964-08-29)[1]
FounderKeshavram Kashiram Shastri
TypeHindu nationalist, social services
Location
Coordinates28°20′N 77°06′E / 28.33°N 77.10°E / 28.33; 77.10
Area served
India
Members6.8 million[2]
Key people
G. Raghava Reddy (president)[3]
Praveen Togadia (executive president)[3]
SubsidiariesBajrang Dal (youth wing)
Durga Vahini (women's wing)
Websitevhp.org

Template:Hindu politics

Viśva Hindu Pariṣad (pronunciation: /vɪʃv(ə) hɪnd̪uː pərɪʃəd̪/, Template:Lang-en), abbreviated VHP, is a Hindu organisation in India and is based on the ideology of Hindutva. Founded in 1964,[4] its main objective is to organise - consolidate the Hindu society and to serve - protect the Hindu Dharma.[1] The VHP volunteers are known for their efforts to promote and revive Hinduism and to develop unity and pride among all Hindus by its social service projects, encouraging the construction and renovation of Hindu temples, campaigning against social evils and orthodox practices in Hinduism, opposing cow slaughter, opposing conversions to other religions and taking up issues in the interest of Hindus such as the Ayodhya dispute.[1]

The VHP is associated with the Sangh Parivar, an umbrella of Hindu nationalist organisations which also includes the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). 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 G. Raghava Reddy,[3] while its executive president is Praveen Togadia.[3]

History

The VHP was founded in 1964 by Keshavram Kashiram Shastri. The other co-founders were the Hindu spiritual leader Swami Chinmayananda, former RSS member S.S. Apte, Supreme Spiritual Head of the Namdhari Sikhs Sri Satguru Jagjit Singh Ji and Sikh leader Master Tara Singh as one of the co-founders.[5] Swami Chinmayananda was nominated as its founding President, while Apte was nominated as its founding General Secretary.[5] The VHP, which considers Buddhists, Jains and Sikhs 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, Mumbai on 29 August 1964. The conference was hosted by RSS Sarsanghchalak 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 [[Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama|Dalai Lama]]. Golwalkar explained that "all faiths of Indian origins need to unite", saying that the word "Hindu" (i.e. people of "Hindustan") applied to adherents of all the above religions.[6] 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 organize the Hindu world to save it from the evils of all the three

— .[6]

It was decided at the meeting that the name of the proposed organization would be Vishva Hindu Parishad and that a world convention of Hindus was to be held at Prayag (Allahabad) during Kumbha Mela of 1966 to launch the organization. It was further decided that it would be a non-political organization and that no office bearer of any political party shall be simultaneously an office bearer in the Parishad. The following aims and objectives were set before the Parishad.

  • To consolidate and strengthen the Hindu Society.
  • To protect, promote and propagate Hindu values of life, the ethical and the spiritual in the context of modern times.
  • To keep in touch with all the Hindus living abroad, and to organize and help them in all possible ways in protecting their Hindu identity, also popularly known as Hindutva.

The motto of the organisation is "Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitah" (धर्मो रक्षति रक्षितः) meaning "Dharma protects its protector".

Ayodhya dispute

Main articles: Ayodhya debate, Ram Janmabhoomi, and Babri Mosque

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. The VHP claimed that the Babri Mosque was built by demolishing the temple at the birthplace of Rama (Ram Janmabhoomi). The further VHP claimed that the mosque was in a dilapidated condition and not used for worship or any religious activity by the city's Muslims.[citation needed]

In the late 1980s, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) brought the temple issue to the centerstage of national politics, and the BJP and VHP began organising larger protests in Ayodhya and around the country. The feeling was that the issue was continually ignored by coalition governments and the psuedo-secular Congress Party, as well as the courts.

In 1992 a large group of Hindus, including members of the VHP,[7] were camped on the site of the Babri Mosque. On 6 December 1992 the mosque was demolished by elements of the crowd. Rioting followed across India with 2000 people killed.[8][9]

The Liberhan Commission headed by Justice Liberhan was constituted to investigate the whole episode. A large number of VHP workers testified before the commission.

Stated aims and objectives

The stated goals of the organisation are as follows[10]:

  • To consolidate, strengthen and make invincible the global Hindu fraternity by following the eternal and universal life values based on Sanatan Dharma (i.e., Hinduism) and work for total welfare of humanity on the basis of the unique cultural ethos of Bharatvarsha.
  • To promote activities of education, medical aid and relief to the poor or any other activity in the advancement of general public utility for furtherance of literature and scientific and socio-religious research.
  • For fulfillment of above-mentioned objects if any activity is carried out which requires money to be collected in the form of sales, charges for boarding and lodging, distribution of books, literature, etc., then the prices and charges will be such that as far as possible they will not yield any profit.

Organization and leadership

Local office of Vishva Hindu Parishad, at Haridwar

The Bajrang Dal is the youth wing of the VHP, and it is organized in many states in major training camps called shakhas, where thousands of young men simultaneously train in various activities, receive sports 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".[11]

The VHP organizes in community meets and shakhas throughout the country. Its national organisation is democratic, with an International Working President and an International General Secretary as their most important executives. However, only seasoned, senior leaders control the seats on the Central Council which will elevate men to the varying posts.

The Dharma Sansad is literally a religious parliament, a gathering of Hindu seers, scholars and high priests from all over the country. They rule on policy and principles and advise the executive on social and cultural questions.

The VHP is an independent organization of a socio-cultural nature, with many political activities. It has many active branches in North America, South East Asia and East Africa, where large numbers of Hindus live. It is engaged in numerous social development activities in hundreds of villages in different parts of the country, helping in their economic alleviation and cultural revitalization.

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.[12]

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.[13]

Communal tensions and reconversions

In 2002, Hindu activists returning from Ayodhya were burnt alive by a mob of Muslims, in a train at Godhra; leading to the infamous Gujarat Riots. The VHP endorsed about Muslims kidnapping three Hindu girls during the Godhra train attack, which initiated the violence during the Gujarat riots.

The VHP engages in several programs to reconvert Hindus who had previously converted to Christianity through their trained missionaries called "Dharma Prasaar Vibhag" (Religious Propaganda Cell), The VHP has deputed large number of its missionaries in those remote villages and tribal areas which have substantial Christians and Muslims. In recent years the VHP has emerged as one of the most active Hindu missionary organisation and has organised several mass reconversion programmes of Christians and Muslims to Hinduism. In one of the recent programmes on 24th Feb 2012, it reconverted more than 3000 Tribal Christians from 658 families to Hinduism in Sundergadh district of Indian State of Orissa (as per Zee News); similarly, it reconverted 228 Christian families to Hinduism on 28th Feb 2012 in Valsad District of Gujarat and in one of the another programmes organised on April 19, 2004, it converted 3200 Muslims belonging to Chita, Mehrat and Kathat caste in Beawar, Ajmer District, Rajasthan.On 11th Aug 2009 in Dindigul District in State of Tamil Nadu,all 207 Christians of Tamarikullam Village were converted to Hinduism by VHP,leaving no Christians in the village.[14] VHP claims that villagers were offered financial rewards for converting to Christianity and that those rewards never materialised, so their return to Hinduism was relatively straightforward.[15][16][17] Following the murder of Swami Lakshmanananda, the VHP engaged in reconversion programmes, involving both voluntary and forced reconversion.[17][18]

In Punjab, the VHP has played an active role to prevent conversions of Sikhs, especially low caste Sikhs being converted to Christianity. This is as a result mostly from oppression by high caste Sikhs; however, the VHP have helped stopped Christian missionaries from converting Sikhs nonetheless.[19]

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 2003–2012 period.[20]

In August 2008, the VHP blamed Christians for the murder of Swami Lakshmanananda,[21] though Maoist militants had claimed responsibility for the killing. In the resulting disorder, Christian settlements were set on fire,[22] and 250 Christians were forced to flee their villages.[23] The Roman Catholic Church claimed that at least 7 Christians were killed.[21] Various news sources also reported that a nun was raped during the violence.[24][25][26][27] 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).[28]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c VHP main objective
  2. ^ VHP mebership count
  3. ^ a b c d VHP President Raghava Reddy
  4. ^ Kurien, Prema (2001). "Religion, ethnicity and politics: Hindu and Muslim Indian immigrants in the United States". Ethnic and Racial Studies. 24 (2): 268.
  5. ^ a b A lethal cocktail of religion & politics Hindustan Times – 27 July 2007
  6. ^ a b Smith, David James, Hinduism and Modernity P189, Blackwell Publishing ISBN 0-631-20862-3
  7. ^ [1]
  8. ^ Srikrishna Commission report,HVK archive
  9. ^ Human Rights Watch Official Report
  10. ^ Aims and objectives of the VHP,vhp.org
  11. ^ Women ‘Ram Bhakt’ hog limelight,The Tribune
  12. ^ Vishva Hindu Parishad Chandan Deep Complex, Jail Road, Gurgaon. Contact persons: Dr Inderjit Singh Yadav – Mobile 9312464415 Shri Mansingh Rahav 2580673 Kohli, Atul (2000). The Success of India's Democracy. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-80144-3.
  13. ^ Historic world Hindu conference at Prayag News Today – March 2007
  14. ^ http://m.indianexpress.com/news/%22/500277/
  15. ^ 3,500 poor villagers reconvert to Hinduism,The Tribune
  16. ^ Over 500 reconvert to Hinduism in Orissa,Press Trust of India Archive
  17. ^ a b Christians convert back to Hinduism,BBC
  18. ^ Convert Guardian
  19. ^ Rana, Yudhvir (31 March 2005). "VHP against conversions in Punjab". The Times Of India.
  20. ^ "'Love Jihad' racket: VHP, Christian groups find common cause". The Times Of India. 13 October 2008.
  21. ^ a b Blakely, Rhys (November 20, 2008). "Hindu extremists reward to kill Christians as Britain refuses to bar members". The Times. London. Retrieved May 22, 2010.
  22. ^ "BJP MLA convicted in Kandhamal riots case". Chennai, India: The Hindu. 9 September 2010.
  23. ^ "BJP lawmaker gets jail for murder in Kandhamal riots | Accident / Crime / Disaster". Indiatalkies.com. Retrieved 2011-09-19.
  24. ^ "Nun was raped and priest brutally assaulted in Kandhamal". Chennai, India: The Hindu. 30 September 2008. Retrieved 2008-10-04.
  25. ^ "Four arrested over India nun rape". BBC News. 3 October 2008. Retrieved 2008-10-04.
  26. ^ "Medical reports confirm Kandhmal nun raped". NDTV. Retrieved 2008-10-04.
  27. ^ "Anti Christian Violence Rocks Orissa, India". Oecumene.radiovaticana.org. 2008-08-26. Retrieved 2011-09-19.
  28. ^ "Conversion, reconversion led to Kandhamal riots: Commission". Bhubaneshwar: The Times of India. 3 July 2009.
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