In what could be termed as a counter to Congress’ campaign for caste census, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, is coming out with its own movement – Hindus first, caste next.
The central theme of the VHP’s campaign for the emancipation of temples from the control of the state governments is to foster a feeling of oneness among all Hindus. The campaign is giving a call to all sections of Hindus to break free from caste considerations.
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad wants ‘caste’ to remain inside the four walls of our homes. “Once we are out, we are all Hindus,” they say. The organisers say that the movement transcends the narrow confines of castes and regions as it aims to bring together all Hindus under one roof.
VHP organising general secretary Milind Parande, speaking to media persons recently, let out the political element in the campaign. He said that the temple movement would be beyond considerations of caste and region, unlike Congress leader Rahul Gandhi who continues to insist that there has to be a caste census, which only drives a wedge among the Hindus on caste lines.
The VHP will kick off this campaign – Hyndava Sankahravam (battle-cry of Hinduism) to unite Hindus not by caste, but by religion, at Kesarapalli near Vijayawada Airport in erstwhile Krishna District on 5 January. The organisers expect that the turnout will be in lakhs.
Campaign to kick off in Andhra Pradesh
Even though it is a nationwide campaign, it is being launched in a village in Andhra Pradesh, and the organisers seem keen on making a big-bang impression in the state first before taking it forward beyond itstate borders.
It appears the VHP chose Andhra Pradesh to kick-start the campaign, as the BJP to whose family it belongs, is very weak with less than two percent of votes.
This story was originally published in thesouthfirst.com. Read the full story here.
