By Ankit Raj
As various political parties gear up for the upcoming Delhi assembly elections and poll campaign gains momentum, the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) is planning to distribute tridents on a large scale in the national capital. While 7,000 to 8,000 tridents have already been distributed, the target is to distribute more than 50,000 tridents before the elections. However, the VHP claims that it has nothing to do with the elections.
As the term of the Delhi assembly ends on February 23, 2025, poll dates may be officially announced in the first week of January and voting may take place in mid-February.
VHP’s ‘Trishul Diksha Samaroh’ in Delhi
The trident campaign was launched on December 15, with the first event held in Paharganj and the next event lined up for January 19. These programmes are open for all and anyone can receive the trident.
This particular trident has been specially designed so that it does not fall under the purview of the Arms Act.
The VHP is inviting the general public through WhatsApp with the following message: “All of you must get your names registered and carry weapons.” In a way, it is also a recruitment programme for Bajrang Dal, the VHP’s youth wing.
“Those who are already in the organisation have to carry it (trident),” explains Surendra Gupta from the VHP’s Delhi unit. “Those who are not yet part of the organisation and wish to don it are taken on board.”
This story was originally published in thewire.in. Read the full story here.
