The Hindu
MUMBAI, September 9, 2014
VHP ups the ante on cow, conversion
Vinay, a milk vendor in a Muslim-majority locality of
central Mumbai, dreams of a day when cows will no longer be slaughtered.
Under the Narendra Modi regime, he feels his wish will be realised. A
ground-level worker of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Vinay is gearing
up to be part of the outfit’s programme to check cow slaughter during
Bakrid in October.
In the days leading up to the festival, the VHP is setting up chowkis
(booths) and deploying “flying squads” to check the transportation of
cows. Though not a new practice, the campaign this year will be
intensified, the outfit says. “Mr. Modi is the Prime Minister, we feel
stronger,” Vinay says.
The VHP, during its golden
jubilee meeting here last month, set clear goals of expansion and
growth, with focus on accelerating its “seva projects” that include cow
protection and curbing of religious conversions, including through the
so-called “love jihad.”
The new-found confidence
stems from Mr. Modi’s assumption of power, says Venkatesh Apdeo, central
committee member, VHP. “The Administration would hinder our activities
earlier, but not any longer. We get cooperation from the Administration
across the country; there is definitely a soft corner.” “Modi is
Hindutva rakshak (saviour), the Congress was Hindutva virodhi (enemy),” he adds.
Under the slogan Hindu hum sab ek
[All Hindus are one], the VHP plans to increase its reach among the
lower castes. The outfit has extensive plans to curb conversions and
facilitate the “return of converted Hindus [ghar vapasi].” VHP
leader Pravin Togadia recently said the outfit reconverted seven lakh
people in the past 50 years. “Why not seven crores in the future,” asks
Mr. Apdeo.
