Vishva Hindu Parishad

Vishva Hindu Parishad
विश्व हिन्दू परिषद
Logo of the V.H.P
Abbreviation VHP
Motto Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitah
धर्मो रक्षति रक्षितः
Formation 29 August 1964 (1964-08-29)[1]
Founder M. S. Golwalkar
S. S. Apte
Swami Chinmayananda
Type Right-wing organisation
Purpose Hindu nationalism and Hindutva
Headquarters New Delhi, India
Coordinates 28°20′N 77°06′E / 28.33°N 77.10°E / 28.33; 77.10Coordinates: 28°20′N 77°06′E / 28.33°N 77.10°E / 28.33; 77.10
Region served
India
Membership
6.8 million[2]
Official language
Hindi
International President
 Vishnu Sadashiv Kokje
Subsidiaries Bajrang Dal (youth wing)
Durga Vahini (women's wing)
Affiliations Sangh Parivar
Website vhp.org

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.

The VHP was founded in 1964 by M. S. Golwalkar and S. S. Apte in collaboration with Swami Chinmayananda. Its stated objective is "to organise, consolidate the Hindu society and to serve, protect the Hindu Dharma."[1] The 14th Dalai Lama is a member of the VHP and was present at its founding.[3]

The VHP is a member of the Sangh Parivar group,[4][5] an umbrella of Hindu nationalist organisations led by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). It has been involved in construction and renovation of Hindu temples, issues of cow slaughter, religious conversion, the Ayodhya dispute and its role in the Babri Masjid demolition.[6][7]

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]

In mid 1990s, VHP had 1.6 million members worldwide.[12] According to a 2008 estimate, VHP claimed 6.8 million members.[2]

Ideology

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.[13] 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.[13]

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.[14] The other main objective which it has been involved with is the Ayodhya dispute.[1]

On 4 June 2018, CIA classified VHP and Bajrang Dal as religious militant organizations under the category of political pressure groups.[15][16]

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 organisations. 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 Vishnu Sadashiv Kokje, while its international working president is Alok Kumar Advocate.

Social services

Vishva Hindu Parishad is active in social welfare work:[17][18]

  • Medical - People are trained in villages to provide primary health care and referral services. The organisation also conducts medical check-up camps.[18]
  • Vocational training - Organisation is running self-employment training camps in Bihar, Punjab, Rajasthan, Maha Kaushal, Assam, Brij Pradesh, Odisha and Maharashtra. The training areas involve farming techniques, bee-keeping, agriculture, horticultural techniques, animal husbandry and sewing.[19] There are 959 training centres currently operating.[18]
  • Education - It tried to provide educational facilities in remote area. It supports 3266 educational facilities.[18]
  • Social welfare - Organisation runs 45 orphanages, marriage bureaux, help centres, rescue centres, temples, hostels[20] 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.[18][21]
  • 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.[22][23]

Youth organisations

Local office of Vishva Hindu Parishad, at Haridwar

The Bajrang Dal founded in 1984, is organised in many states in major training camps called shakhas, where thousands of youths simultaneously train in various activities, receive sports, education in Hindutva and cultural indoctrination. 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".[24] 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.[25]

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.[26]

International presence

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

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.[27]

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.[28]

Vishwa Hindu Parishad has a temple in Frankfurt, offers Bhagavad Gita classes and recites the Ramayana.[29][30]

The VHP is active in Vancouver, Toronto, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Ottawa and other major Canadian cities.[31]

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.[32] The press release from city council of Holroyd state that Vishva Hindu Parishad is active in supporting multiculturalism in the same region.[33] 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.[34]

Other activities

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.

From 1982 to 1985, over 66,000 people were reconverted to Hinduism following the efforts of VHP.[35]

The VHP had been aggressively involved in the Ayodhya dispute over the Ram Janmabhoomi, or Babri Mosque before its demolition, since March 1984, after getting encouraged by the strong response it had got from ekatmata yatra programme, it organised in 1983, which was aimed at Hindu unity and self-protection against Islam and Christianity. This activity in the Ayodhya issue involved demonstrations, petitions and litigation, along with militant processions, forceful conversion ceremonies and incidents of violence and vandalism, particularly targeting Muslims.[36] The VHP is also said to have sought the destruction of the Babri mosque. 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.[37][38][39][40]

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.[41]

According to the Human Rights Watch, VHP and Bajrang Dal had been involved in 2002 Gujarat riots.[42] Though VHP has denied these claims, VHP spokesman Kaushikbahi Mehta said, "We in the VHP had nothing to do with the violence except to take care of widows and victims of the Godhra mayhem."[43]

VHP engaged in "re-conversion" program in the state of Orissa. In June 2002, VHP converted 143 tribal Christians into Hinduism in Tainser village of Sundergarh district.[44] In 2005, VHP in Bargarh carried out reconversion ceremony for 567 Christians. The new converts had signed affidavits, confirming their intention to change their religion. Another 600 Dalit tribal Christians were converted to Hinduism in Bijepur, Orissa.[45]

On April 2005, in West Bengal members of 45 tribal families converted to Hinduism from Christianity in a ceremony organised by Akhil Bhartiya Sanatan Santhal, allied to VHP.[45]

VHP claimed to have converted 5,000 people to Hinduism in 2002.[44] In 2004, VHP claimed to have converted 12,857 people to Hinduism. 3,727 of these were Muslims and 9,130 were Christians.[46]

In 2005, after the protests organised by VHP, the Jharkhand Assembly passed a Cow Protection Commission Bill that made the killing of, cruelty to and illegal trading of cows a crime.[47]

In 2007, VHP had launched nationwide protest against demolition of the Rama Setu.[48] On 12 September 2007, the VHP, with the aid of BJP and the Rameswaram Sreeramsetu Surakshaya Manch, had blocked road and rail traffic in Orissa. Thousands of activists participated in these protests in Bhubaneswar, Jatani, Rourkela, and Sambalpur.[49][50]

In 2015, VHP defended the demolition of a church in Haryana, although it has denied involvement in the incident. 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".[51]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "VHP main objective". Vhp.org. 1964-08-29. Retrieved 2014-08-24.
  2. 1 2 "New Delhi left grasping for answers to violence". The National. 2008-10-13.
  3. ↑ Long, Jeffery D. (2011). Historical dictionary of Hinduism (New ed.). Lanham, Md.: Scarecrow Press. p. 319. ISBN 978-0-8108-6764-2.
  4. ↑ Jelen, Ted Gerard; Wilcox, Clyde (2002). Religion and Politics in Comparative Perspective: The One, The Few, and The Many. Cambridge University Press. p. 253. ISBN 978-0-521-65031-1.
  5. ↑ DP Bhattacharya, ET Bureau (2014-08-04). "Communal skirmishes rising after Narendra Modi's departure from Gujarat - Economic Times". Articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com. Retrieved 2014-08-14.
  6. ↑ Thomas Blom Hansen (1999). The Saffron Wave: Democracy and Hindu Nationalism in Modern India. Princeton University Press. ISBN 978-0195645743.
  7. ↑ "VHP's social service activities". The Hindu. 2011-12-18. Retrieved 2014-08-24.
  8. ↑ Katju 2013, p. 5.
  9. ↑ Kurien, Prema (2001). "Religion, ethnicity and politics: Hindu and Muslim Indian immigrants in the United States". Ethnic and Racial Studies. 24 (2): 268. doi:10.1080/01419870020023445.
  10. 1 2 Katju 2013.
  11. 1 2 "Inception of VHP". vhp.org. Retrieved 24 Aug 2014.
  12. ↑ J. Gordon Melton; Martin Baumann (2010-09-21). Religions of the World: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Beliefs and Practices, 2nd Edition [6 volumes]: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Beliefs and Practices. ABC-CLIO. ISBN 9781598842043.
  13. 1 2 Smith 2003, p. 189.
  14. ↑ "Welcome to Organiser". Organiser.org. Retrieved 2014-08-14.
  15. ↑ "VHP a militant religious outfit, RSS nationalist: CIA factbook - Times of India".
  16. ↑ http://www.tribuneindia.com/mobi/news/nation/cia-calls-vhp-bajrang-dal-religious-militant-organisations/605756.html
  17. ↑ Hansen, Thomas Blom (1999-03-23). The Saffron Wave: Democracy and Hindu Nationalism in Modern India - Thomas Blom Hansen - Google Books. ISBN 978-1400823055. Retrieved 2014-08-14.
  18. 1 2 3 4 5 "विश्व हिंदू परिषदेची पन्नास वर्षांची वाटचाल | Evivek.com". Magazine.evivek.com. Archived from the original on 2014-08-14.
  19. ↑ "VHP to highlight its social work - The Times of India". Timesofindia.indiatimes.com. 2003-12-19. Retrieved 2014-08-14.
  20. ↑ E. Toffolo, Chris (2012). Emancipating Cultural Pluralism. SUNY Press. p. 166. ISBN 9780791487495.
  21. ↑ Menon, Kalyani Devaki (2011-07-06). Everyday Nationalism: Women of the Hindu Right in India - Kalyani Devaki Menon - Google Books. ISBN 978-0812202793. Retrieved 2014-08-14.
  22. ↑ "Jammu and Kashmir floods: Vishwa Hindu Parishad organises medical camps, 1,400 patients treated". dna.
  23. ↑ "VHP organises medical camps in Jammu, 1,400 patients treated". The Economic Times.
  24. ↑ Women 'Ram Bhakt' hog limelight,The Tribune
  25. ↑ Kohli, Atul (2000). The Success of India's Democracy. Cambridge University Press. p. 174. ISBN 978-0-521-80144-7.
  26. ↑ "Historic world Hindu conference at Prayag". News Today. March 2007. Archived from the original on 2009-03-18.
  27. ↑ "Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America | World Hindu Council of America". Vhp-america.org. Retrieved 2014-08-14.
  28. ↑ "VHP UK". Vhp.org.uk. 2012-04-30. Retrieved 2014-08-14.
  29. ↑ "VHP ev Germany". VHP ev Germany. Retrieved 2014-08-14.
  30. ↑ "Multinational clinical trials in Europe" (PDF).
  31. ↑ "Ilford Branch | VHP UK". Vhp.org.uk. 2012-04-30. Retrieved 2014-08-14.
  32. ↑ "Community Directory". Multicultural.vic.gov.au. 2014-03-23. Retrieved 2014-08-24.
  33. ↑ "Hindu heritage inspires multiculturalism in Holroyd | Holroyd City Council". Holroyd.nsw.gov.au. 2014-02-13. Retrieved 2014-08-24.
  34. ↑ "Vishva Hindu Parishad of Australia | Bringing Hindus Together". Vhp.org.au. Retrieved 2014-08-14.
  35. ↑ Parvathy, A.A. (2003). Lost Years of the RSS. Deep and Deep Publications. p. 127. ISBN 9788176294508.
  36. ↑ Katju, Manjari (2003). Vishva Hindu Parishad and Indian Politics. Orient Blackswan. pp. 8, 113. ISBN 9788125024767.
  37. ↑ Katju, Manjari (2003). Vishva Hindu Parishad and Indian Politics. Orient Blackswan. pp. 45, 67. ISBN 9788125024767.
  38. ↑ Russell, Malcolm (2012-08-01). Middle East and South Asia 2012. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 231. ISBN 9781610488891.
  39. ↑ "Ayodhya files, Vol. 7" (PDF). Allahabad High Court. Retrieved 2014-08-24.
  40. ↑ Vinod Mishra (Dec 1992). "On Communalism". Marxists.org. Retrieved 2014-08-24.
  41. ↑ Rana, Yudhvir (31 March 2005). "VHP against conversions in Punjab". The Times Of India.
  42. ↑ "WE HAVE NO ORDERS TO SAVE YOU". www.hrw.org. Retrieved 2017-05-24.
  43. ↑ "Eves as Ram bhakts, the Gujarat model - Times of India".
  44. 1 2 Faith Under Fire. Anamika Pub & Distributors. 2008. p. 370. ISBN 9788174953209.
  45. 1 2 Praveen Kumar Chaudhary (2011). Communal Crimes and National Integration: A Socio-legal Study. Readworthy. p. 100. ISBN 9789350180402.
  46. ↑ Basu, Amrita (2015). Violent Conjunctures in Democratic India. Cambridge University Press. p. 47. ISBN 9781107089631.
  47. ↑ Atul Kohli; Prerna Singh (2013). Routledge Handbook of Indian Politics. Routledge. ISBN 9781135122744.
  48. ↑ Arvind Sharma; Madhu Khanna (2013). Asian Perspectives on the World's Religions after September 11. ABC-CLIO. p. 207. ISBN 9780313378973.
  49. ↑ Chatterji, Angana P. (1 March 2009). Violent gods: Hindu nationalism in India's present : narratives from Orissa. Three Essays Collective.
  50. ↑ "Ram Setu: VHP rail and road blockade in Orissa on Sept 12". Zee News. 2008-09-08.
  51. ↑ "VHP defends attack on Haryana church, calls 1857 'communal war'". Times of India. Retrieved 2015-03-17.

Bibliography

  • Clarke, Peter (2004). Encyclopedia of New Religious Movements. Routledge. ISBN 978-0-203-48433-3.
  • 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 978-0-520-08651-7.
  • Katju, Manjari (2013). Vishva Hindu Parishad and Indian Politics. Orient Blackswan. ISBN 978-81-250-2476-7.
  • Kumar, Praveen (2011). Communal Crimes and National Integration: A Socio-Legal Study. Readworthy Publications. ISBN 978-93-5018-040-2.
  • Smith, David James (2003). Hinduism and Modernity. Blackwell Publishing. ISBN 978-0-631-20862-4.
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