THE Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) Sunday launched its nationwide Hindu Ahead campaign here with the slogan prosperity and security of Hindus,ahead of the outfits golden jubilee celebrations scheduled for August 2014.
When asked if the movement has a political angle given its launch a year ahead of the 2014 general elections,VHP working president Pravin Togadia said,The VHP has no apprehensions about supporting a leader who publicly takes a pledge to work for Hindus. Those who are leaders of Hindus will be our leaders. By mobilising people,we will pressure politicians and political parties to work for Hindus.
The gathering at a football ground in the citys Kankaria neighborhood saw an estimated 5000-odd in attendance,including those who came from various parts of the state. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and other Hindu outfit leaders and dozens of sadhus were also present.
Launching the campaign,Togadia said in his speech,I am not talking about parties or leaders. I am talking about a constitutional arrangement by mobilising people and pressuring parties so that leaders like Mulayam Singh Yadav have to bow down before Hindus.
In his speech,Bhagwat said,Hindus are always ahead,but there are practical areas where we are lagging behind,such as building a Ram temple at Ayodhya.
Through the campaign,VHP aims to reach one lakh villages across the country. It stated that it has to play a bigger role in the country by aiming at dimensions of Hindu security such as food,education,job and other businesses.
Meanwhile,a group of people,accused in several riots cases of 2002 including Gulberg society massacre,held a protest in Meghani Nagar,approximately 12-km from VHP’s meeting venue,and criticised the party leaders.