HVK Archives: BJP's rise is a barometer of Hindu awakening
BJP's rise is a barometer of Hindu awakening - The Times Of India
Gurumukh Singh
()
March 26, 1998
Title: BJP's rise is a barometer of Hindu awakening
Author: Gurumukh Singh
Publication: The Times Of India
Date: March 26, 1998
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), the activist component of the
Sangh Parivar which spearheaded the Ayodhya movement in the
eighties and was banned for its role in the demolition of the
Babri Masjid, does not expect the new BJP-led government to
pursue its agenda of building temples at Ayodhya, Kashi and
Mathura says its president Vishnu Hari Dalmia. Excerpts from an
interview with Gurmukh Singh:
Q & A\ Vishnu Hari Dalmia
What are your expectations from the BJP-led government?
A: Not many. We could have expected something from the government
only if the BJP had come to power on its own. But now we have a
BJP-led government which means contending with pulls and
pressures. Hasn't Jayalalitha already demonstrated this?
Do you think the BJP has betrayed its constituency by dropping
the temple and other issues for the sake of power?
Sara Jata dakhiye toh aadha leejiye baant (Half a loaf is better
than one). No doubt the BJP has compromised itself as other
parties are not pro-Hindu, barring one or two.
How?
Take their stand on the three disputed shrines. These places are
of no interest to Muslims now. The balance of convenience (in
judicial parlance) is in favour of Hindus. Mathura, as court
verdicts say, was a place of worship of Hindu. The Kashi
structure has been proved to be a temple. But no party will
support the BJP on these issues.
The same argument holds true for cow protection which is
mentioned the Directive Principles. The Supreme Court too has
said that cow slaughter is not a religious necessity for Muslims.
Even Indira Gandhi had promised to stop it when Vinoba Bhave
undertook a fast unto death.
Further, the abolition of Article 370 and formulating a uniform
civil code are of interest not only to Hindus but to all Indians.
But no party will back the BJP for fear of antagonising Muslims.
The problem is not the Muslim masses, but the Muslim leadership
which has been appeased by the Congress for the past 50 years.
While you tax Hindu pilgrims, there are subsidies for Haj
pilgrims. I am hopeful the BJP will do something in some areas,
Like what?
At least anti-Hindu and anti-India activities will stop. The ISI
will not have a free run of this country. Our long-pending demand
for a ministry for religious affairs may get a serious thought-a
step which can be helpful in cow protection.
How do you see the rise of the BJP?
The BJP's rise is a barometer of Hindu awakening. From now
onwards, no party will be able to pursue anti-Hindu policies, the
eradication of which tops our agenda. What else is on your
agenda?
Look, Hindus have suffered through the ages because of casteism.
Not only did they suffer defeats, but also faced forcible
conversions. Today, political parties are perpetuating the same
divisions to keep their vote bank.
For its part, the VHP is committed to ending this social evil. We
are training sewakars for this purpose. Hundreds of them are
already working in the far-flung rural and tribal areas of the
country to promote awareness about Hinduism and check
conversions.
Coming back to the BJP-led government, what can it do within the
limits imposed by its minority status?
I am hopeful they will stop cow slaughter, implement the Ganga
action plan and give justice to all
and stop appeasement of some, groups. It must concentrate
urgently on education. Let this policy be reoriented to build our
national character. A lot of distortion ham been introduced into
our history. books which need to be corrected." Further, the
ballooning population needs tough measure.
What about the nuclear option oh which the government seems
ambivalent?
If Pakistan has nuclear missiles targeted at us, why should we
not have a deterrent? Influx from the neighbouring countries is
another issue on which we would like this government to take
tough steps.
What do you think about Atal Behari Vajpayee as a individual? Is
he really a mask for the RSS?
Suffice it to say that he is a very good man. But Vajpayee has a
tough job on his hands. It will be a tightrope walk all the way.
Finally, what will you do if the court verdict on the Ayodhya
site goes against you?
A makeshift temple is already there. All that needs to be done is
to raise a structure. We will cross the bridge when we come to
it.
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