It’s introspection time officially for the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and its sister organisations. With the coming year named ‘sangathan varsh’ (organisation year), the Sangh Parivar, which launched a nine-day-long strategy conclave in the temple town of Vadtal in Kheda district on Monday, has decided that there’s strength in numbers. And increasing the number of cadre will now be the VHP’s focus.
Called Akhil Bhartiya Poorna Kalin Karyakarta Vikas Varg Sammelan, the nine-day conclave is being attended by about 600 district-level office-bearers of VHP organisations like the Bajrang Dal, Durga Vahini and Gau-Raksha Samiti from across the country.
Inaugurating the first session, VHP president Ashok Singhal exhorted karyakartas to prepare for a difficult time ahead. ‘‘When the culture and integrity of the country is under increasing threat owing to a change of guard, we need to draw more inspiration from our moorings and strengthen our resolve to achieve our ideals,’’ Singhal said.
‘‘The difficult times that lie ahead call for preparation with sacrifice and restraint. We need to look within and strengthen our numbers. We will be marking this year as ‘sangathan varsh’ (organisation year) and expand across districts of the country,’’ Singhal said.
Though the discourse steered clear of any direct reference to politics in the country, Singhal did comment on the election results, both Lok Sabha and Maharashtra, in which the BJP had a poor showing. Calling them unexpected, he, however, said this should instill a sense of hard work and dedication.
‘‘Defeat in this measure was not expected. But this should not lead to a sense of hopelessness. We should see it as an opportunity to further strengthen our resolve and work towards the ideal of a Hindu rashtra. It has to become a reality sooner or later.’’
Referring to the Ayodhya movement indirectly, Singhal said that the VHP was Hanuman and without him, Ram could not do anything. ‘‘He is our ideal and his life shows what sacrifice and restraint means. We have to follow that if we have to realise our dream of a Hindu rashtra,’’ he said.
Asked whether the strategy conclave would focus on the revival of the Ayodhya movement, the VHP leaders were evasive at best. ‘‘It remains our short-term objective, the long term being a Hindu nation. It will definitely be discussed during these nine days. But I cannot say if it will be the only focus,’’ said Arvind Brahmbhatt, a senior VHP functionary.
Addressing media in the morning, international general secretary Dr Pravin Togadia commented on the reasons why the meet was being organised in Gujarat after a gap of eight years. The first was held in 1995 in Ayodhya. ‘‘Gujarat has been a fertile ground for Hindutva and is the land of Hindu revival. There are two symbols for that. One, the reconstruction of Somnath temple post-Independence and two, the revenge that the Hindus took after Godhra,’’ Togadia told mediapersons.
The strategy sessions over the next three days will be addressed by VHP leaders Acharya Giriraj Kishore, Pravin Togadia, Ashok Singhal and RSS sarsanghchalak K S Sudarshan, among others.