Author: Pradeep Kaushal
Publication: The Indian Express
Date: May 6, 2003
URL: http://www.indianexpress.com/archive_full_story.php?content_id=23378
Faced with an increased opposition
to its trishul deeksha campaign, the VHP chose to blow hot and cold in
the same breath today. On one hand, VHP leaders vowed to persist with the
drive, and on the other, they assured the National Commission for Minorities
(NCM) that they would eschew anti-minority rhetoric at their functions.
A VHP delegation, comprising vice-president
Acharya Giriraj Kishore, general secretary Pravin Togadia and secretary
Surendra Jain, met NCM Chairman Tarlochan Singh today. The NCM had called
the VHP following representations against the trishul deeksha programme
by minority commissions of some states as well as Muslims.
Tarlochan Singh told The Indian
Express: ''The VHP leaders have assured us that they will not make any
statement or undertake any activity which will be anti-minority. They have
also made it clear that they are not against any particular minority.''
When asked if the NCM had allowed them to carry on their trishul deeksha
programme, Singh responded:''Who are we to allow or disallow them? We only
apprised them of the apprehensions of the minorities arising out of their
programme. They said it is a religious programme. The tridents, which they
are distributing are symbols, defying the definition of any weapon.''
Acharya Giriraj Kishore declared
that the VHP will continue with the trishul deeksha campaign.
