imported>EditWiki45: Minor correction

2021-08-16T04:13:10Z

Minor correction

New page

{{Pp-semi-indef}}
{{pp-protected|reason=Persistent [[WP:Disruptive editing|disruptive editing]] Restoring indefinite protection. Not sure when it was lifted but the disruptive editing has been pervasive for years. Enough.|small=yes|Vandalism}}
{{short description|Indian right-wing Hindu organisation}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2014}}
{{Infobox organization
| name = Vishva Hindu Parishad
| native_name =
| image = [[File:Vishva Hindu Parishad Logo.png|200px|VHP Logo]]
| image_size =
| abbreviation = VHP
| caption = Logo of the V.H.P, depicting a [[Banyan]] tree and the slogan ''[[Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitah|dharmo rakṣati rakṣitaḥ]]''
| founder = {{plainlist|
*[[M. S. Golwalkar]]
*[[S. S. Apte]]
*[[Chinmayananda Saraswati|Swami Chinmayananda]]}}
| type = [[Right-wing politics|Right-wing]]
| purpose = [[Hindu nationalism]] and [[Hindutva]]
| formation = {{start date and age|29 August 1964}}<ref name="vhp main objective"/>
| headquarters = [[New Delhi]], [[India]]
| coordinates = {{Coord|28.33|N|77.10|E|display=inline,title}}
| leader_title = International President
| leader_name = [[Vishnu Sadashiv Kokje]]
| leader_title2 = International Working President
| leader_name2 = Alok Kumar Advocate
| region_served = India
| language = [[Hindi]]
| affiliations = [[Sangh Parivar]]
| membership = 6.8 million<ref name="thenational"/>
| subsid = {{plainlist|
*[[Bajrang Dal]] <small>(youth wing)</small>
*[[Durga Vahini]] <small>(women's wing)</small>}}
| website = {{URL|http://vhp.org/}}
}}
{{Hinduism}}
The '''Vishva Hindu Parishad''' ('''VHP''') ({{trans|''Universal Hindu Council''}}) is an Indian [[Right-wing politics|right-wing]] Hindu organization based on [[Hindutva|Hindu nationalism]].<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Jaffrelot|first=Christophe|author-link=Christophe Jaffrelot|date=2008-12-31|title=Hindu Nationalism and the (Not So Easy) Art of Being Outraged: The Ram Setu Controversy|url=http://journals.openedition.org/samaj/1372|journal=South Asia Multidisciplinary Academic Journal|language=en|issue=2|doi=10.4000/samaj.1372|issn=1960-6060|doi-access=free}}</ref> The VHP was founded in 1964 by [[M. S. Golwalkar]] and [[S. S. Apte]] in collaboration with [[Chinmayananda Saraswati|Swami Chinmayananda]]. Its stated objective is "to organise, consolidate the Hindu society and to serve and protect the Hindu Dharma".<ref name="vhp main objective" /> It was established to construct and renovate [[Hindu temple]]s, and deal with matters of [[Cattle slaughter in India|cow slaughter]] and [[religious conversion]].

The VHP has been criticized for contributing to [[violence against Muslims in India]], most notably for its role in the demolition of the [[Babri Masjid demolition|Babri Masjid]] in 1992 over the [[Ayodhya dispute]].<ref>{{cite book|author=Thomas Blom Hansen |title=The Saffron Wave: Democracy and Hindu Nationalism in Modern India |publisher=Princeton University Press |year=1999 |isbn=978-0195645743}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/vhps-social-service-activities/article2725683.ece |title=VHP's social service activities |newspaper=The Hindu |date=2011-12-18 |access-date=2014-08-24}}</ref> The VHP is considered a member of the [[Sangh Parivar]] group,<ref name="Jelen 2002">{{cite book|last1=Jelen|first1=Ted Gerard|last2=Wilcox|first2=Clyde|title=Religion and Politics in Comparative Perspective: The One, The Few, and The Many.|date=2002|publisher=Cambridge University Press.|isbn=978-0-521-65031-1|page=253|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6HFq0eyEK4QC&pg=PA344}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=DP Bhattacharya, ET Bureau |url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2014-08-04/news/52428512_1_vhp-leader-pravin-togadia-cow-slaughter |title=Communal skirmishes rising after Narendra Modi's departure from Gujarat - Economic Times |publisher=Articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com |date=2014-08-04 |access-date=2014-08-14}}</ref> an umbrella term for [[Hindu nationalism|Hindu nationalist]] organisations led by the [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh|RSS]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rss.org/Timeline.html|title=Timeline of events, including formation of VHP|publisher=[[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh|RSS]]|access-date=2021-04-01}}</ref>

== History ==

The VHP was founded in 1964 by RSS leaders [[M. S. Golwalkar]] and [[S. S. Apte]] in collaboration with the Hindu spiritual leader [[Chinmayananda]].{{sfn|Katju|2013|p=5}}<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Kurien |first1 = Prema |author-link=Prema Kurien |title = Religion, ethnicity and politics: Hindu and Muslim Indian immigrants in the United States|journal = Ethnic and Racial Studies|volume = 24 | issue = 2 |page = 268|year = 2001 |doi=10.1080/01419870020023445|s2cid = 32217209 }}</ref> According to Chinmayananda, the objective of the VHP was to awaken Hindus to their place in the [[comity]] of nations.<ref name="KatjuEarly">{{cite web|doi=10.2307/3517547|publisher=[[Social Scientist]]|pages=34–60|volume=26|number=5/6|author=Katju, Manjari|url=https://dsal.uchicago.edu/books/socialscientist/text.html?objectid=HN681.S597_300-301_036.gif|title=The Early Vishva Hindu Parishad: 1964 to 1983}}</ref>

Chinmayananda was nominated as its founding President, while Apte was nominated as its founding General Secretary. It was decided at the meeting that the name of the proposed organization would be "Vishva Hindu Parishad" and that a world convention of Hindus was to be held at Prayag ([[Allahabad]]) during [[Allahabad Kumbh Mela|Kumbha Mela]] of 1966 for its launch. It was further decided that it would be a non-political organisation and that no office bearer of any political party shall be simultaneously an office bearer in the Parishad.<ref name="vhp inception" /> The delegation of the founders also included [[Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan]] founder [[K. M. Munshi]], Gujarati scholar [[Keshavram Kashiram Shastri]], Sikh leader [[Master Tara Singh]], Namdhari Sikh leader Satguru Jagjit Singh and eminent politicians such as [[C. P. Ramaswamy Iyer|Sir C. P. Ramaswamy Iyer]].{{sfn|Katju|2013}}<ref name="vhp inception">{{cite web|url=http://vhp.org/organization/org-inception-of-vhp|title=Inception of VHP|publisher=vhp.org|access-date=24 Aug 2014}}</ref>

In the mid 1990s, VHP had 1.6 million members worldwide.<ref>{{cite book|title=Religions of the World: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Beliefs and Practices, 2nd Edition [6 volumes]: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Beliefs and Practices|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=v2yiyLLOj88C&q=VHP+members&pg=PA3076|publisher=ABC-CLIO|author1=J. Gordon Melton|author2=Martin Baumann|isbn=9781598842043|date=2010-09-21}}</ref> According to a 2008 estimate, VHP claimed 6.8 million members.<ref name="thenational">{{cite news|title=New Delhi left grasping for answers to violence|url=https://www.thenational.ae/world/asia/new-delhi-left-grasping-for-answers-to-violence-1.538433|date=2008-10-13|publisher=The National}}</ref>

==Ideology==

The VHP was first mooted at a conference in Pawai, Sandipani Sadhanalaya, [[Bombay]] on 29 August 1964. The conference was hosted by RSS chief [[M. S. Golwalkar]]. The date was chosen to coincide with the festival of [[Janmashtami]]. Several representatives from the Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist and Jain faiths were present in the meeting, as well as the [[Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama|Dalai Lama]].<ref name="Long2011">{{cite book|last1=Long|first1=Jeffery D.|title=Historical dictionary of Hinduism|date=2011|publisher=Scarecrow Press|location=Lanham, Md.|isbn=978-0-8108-6764-2|pages=319|edition=New}}</ref> Golwalkar explained that "all faiths of Indian origins need to unite", saying that the word "Hindu" (people of "Hindustan") applied to adherents of all the above religions.{{sfn|Smith|2003|p=189}} Apte declared:

{{quote|The world has been divided to [[Christianity|Christian]], [[Islam]] and [[Communism|communist]]. All of them view Hindu society as very fine rich food on which to feast and fatten themselves. It is necessary in this age of conflict to think of and organise the Hindu world to save it from the evils of all the three.{{sfn|Smith|2003|p=189}}}}

Its main objective is "to organise, consolidate the Hindu society and to serve, protect the Hindu Dharma".<ref name="vhp main objective">{{cite web|url=https://vhp.org/vhp-at-glance/about-vhp/ |title=VHP at Glance|publisher=Vhp.org |date=1964-08-29 |access-date=2021-04-04}}</ref> It has been involved in [[social service]] projects and in encouraging the construction and renovation of [[Hindu temple]]s. It is against the [[caste system]], and opposes [[Cattle slaughter in India|cow slaughter]]. Defending Hindus around the world and Hindu rights has been one of its stated objectives.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.organiser.org/Encyc/2013/8/25/50-years-of-Hindu-empowerment.aspx |title=Welcome to Organiser |publisher=Organiser.org |access-date=2014-08-14}}</ref> The VHP considers [[Buddhism|Buddhist]]s, [[Jainism|Jain]]s and [[Sikhism|Sikh]]s<ref name="Long2011" /> as well as native tribal religions{{citation needed|date=April 2021}} as part of the greater Hindu fraternity.

The VHP promotes the education and involvement of members of [[Hindu diaspora]] in their "cultural duties and spiritual values." This view was first promoted by Chinmayananda,<ref name="KatjuEarly"/>{{rp|42}} and is reflected in the promulgation of VHP organizations in [[Indo-Caribbean]] countries [[Trinidad and Tobago]], [[Guyana]] and [[Suriname]].<ref name="INTP"/>

The organisation acts under the guidance from Dharma Sansad, a religious parliament of Gurus.{{sfn|Katju|2013}}

===Religious conversion===

The VHP is against [[Conversion (religion)|religious conversion]], and uses trained members known as ''Dharma Prasaar Vibhag'' (Dharma Propagation Unit) to meet their ends. The VHP also provides means for reconversion back to Hinduism. From 1982 to 1985, over 66,000 people were reconverted to Hinduism following the efforts of VHP.<ref>{{cite book|title=Lost Years of the RSS|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RpaEt8npT0sC&q=1982+RSS&pg=PA127|page=127|first1= A.A.|last1=Parvathy|publisher=Deep and Deep Publications|year=2003|isbn=9788176294508}}</ref>

VHP claimed to have converted 5,000 people to Hinduism in 2002.<ref name="faith"/> In 2004, VHP claimed to have converted 12,857 people to Hinduism. 3,727 of these were Muslims and 9,130 were Christians.<ref>{{cite book|title=Violent Conjunctures in Democratic India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YsL-7mlzEY8C&q=VHP+bengal+conversions&pg=PA100|page=47|first1=Amrita|last1=Basu|publisher=Cambridge University Press|year=2015|isbn=9781107089631}}</ref>

In Punjab, the VHP has played an active role to prevent conversions of Sikhs. Majority of them are low caste Sikhs converting to Christianity. This may be a result of oppression by high caste Sikhs but there are considerable free will conversions among the higher class Sikhs too; however, the VHP have forcibly stopped Christian missionaries from converting Sikhs.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2005-03-31/chandigarh/27844257_1_conversions-border-areas-christianity | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811033436/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2005-03-31/chandigarh/27844257_1_conversions-border-areas-christianity | url-status=dead | archive-date=11 August 2011 | first1=Yudhvir | last1=Rana | work=[[The Times of India]] | title=VHP against conversions in Punjab | date=31 March 2005}}</ref>

VHP engaged in "re-conversion" program in the state of [[Odisha|Orissa]]. In June 2002, VHP converted 143 tribal Christians into Hinduism in Tainser village of [[Sundergarh district]].<ref name="faith">{{cite book|title=Faith Under Fire|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=T6-raSTUvFQC&q=VHP+2002&pg=PA370|publisher=Anamika Pub & Distributors|year=2008|page=370|isbn=9788174953209}}</ref> In 2005, VHP in [[Bargarh]] carried out reconversion ceremony for 567 Christians. The new converts had signed affidavits, confirming their intention to change their religion. Another 600 Dalit tribal Christians were converted to Hinduism in Bijepur, Orissa.<ref name="Praveen Kumar Chaudhary 2011 100">{{cite book|title=Communal Crimes and National Integration: A Socio-legal Study|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YsL-7mlzEY8C&q=VHP+orissa+tribal&pg=PA100|author=Praveen Kumar Chaudhary|year=2011|page=100|publisher=Readworthy|isbn=9789350180402}}</ref>

In April 2005, in West Bengal members of 45 tribal families converted to Hinduism from Christianity in a ceremony organised by Akhil Bhartiya Sanatan Santhal, allied to VHP.<ref name="Praveen Kumar Chaudhary 2011 100"/>

In March 2021, a Freedom to Religion Bill was passed in [[Madhya Pradesh]], and the VHP plans to organize for action in other states.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/identifying-missionaries-who-carry-out-illegal-religious-conversions-vhp-7224594/|title=Identifying missionaries who carry out illegal religious conversions: VHP|author=Siddique, Iram|date=2021-03-12}}</ref>

===Litigation===

In 2005, after the protests organised by VHP, the [[Jharkhand Legislative Assembly]] passed a Cow Protection Commission Bill that made the killing of, cruelty to and illegal trading of cows a crime.<ref>{{cite book|title=Routledge Handbook of Indian Politics|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FRWA2zkRxMEC&q=Following+VHP-sponsored+protests,+the+Jharkhand+Assembly+passed+a+Cow+Protection+Commission+Bill+in+2005+which+made+the+killing+of,&pg=PA86|author1=Atul Kohli|author2=Prerna Singh|year=2013|publisher=Routledge|isbn=9781135122744}}</ref>

In 2007, VHP had launched nationwide protest against demolition of the [[Rama Setu]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Asian Perspectives on the World's Religions after September 11|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2A0lg1xRehIC&q=VHP+rama+sethu&pg=PA207|author1=Arvind Sharma|author2=Madhu Khanna|page=207|publisher=ABC-CLIO|year=2013|isbn=9780313378973}}</ref> On 12 September 2007, the VHP, with the aid of BJP and the Rameswaram Sreeramsetu Surakshaya Manch, had blocked road and rail traffic in Orissa. Thousands of activists participated in these protests in [[Bhubaneswar]], [[Jatani]], [[Rourkela]], and [[Sambalpur]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Violent gods: Hindu nationalism in India's present : narratives from Orissa|url=https://archive.org/details/violentgodshindu00chat|url-access=registration|first1=Angana P.|last1=Chatterji|date=1 March 2009|publisher=Three Essays Collective}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Ram Setu: VHP rail and road blockade in Orissa on Sept 12|url=http://zeenews.india.com/home/ram-setu-vhp-rail-and-road-blockade-in-orissa-on-sept-12_393722.html|date=2008-09-08|publisher= Zee News}}</ref>

== Social services ==

Vishva Hindu Parishad is active in social welfare work:<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SAqn3OIGE54C&q=VHP+Social+work&pg=PA103 |title=The Saffron Wave: Democracy and Hindu Nationalism in Modern India - Thomas Blom Hansen - Google Books |date=1999-03-23 |access-date=2014-08-14|isbn=978-1400823055 |last1=Hansen |first1=Thomas Blom }}</ref><ref name="Magazine.evivek.com">{{cite web|url=http://magazine.evivek.com/?p=6334 |title=विश्व हिंदू परिषदेची पन्नास वर्षांची वाटचाल | Evivek.com |publisher=Magazine.evivek.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140814031849/http://magazine.evivek.com/?p=6334|archive-date=2014-08-14}}</ref>

* Medical training – People are trained in villages to provide primary health care and referral services. The organisation also conducts medical check-up camps.<ref name="Magazine.evivek.com"/>
* Vocational training – Organisation is running self-employment training camps in [[Bihar]], [[Punjab]], [[Rajasthan]], Maha Kaushal, [[Assam]], Brij Pradesh, [[Orissa, India|Odisha]] and [[Maharashtra]]. The training areas involve farming techniques, [[bee]]-keeping, agriculture, horticultural techniques, animal husbandry and sewing.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/VHP-to-highlight-its-social-work/articleshow/368322.cms |title=VHP to highlight its social work |work=The Times of India |date=2003-12-19 |access-date=2014-08-14}}</ref> There are 959 training centres currently operating.<ref name="Magazine.evivek.com"/>
* Education – It tried to provide educational facilities in remote area. It supports 3266 educational facilities.<ref name="Magazine.evivek.com"/>
* Social welfare – The organisation runs 45 orphanages, marriage bureaux, help centres, rescue centres, temples, hostels<ref name="emancipating">{{cite book|title=Emancipating Cultural Pluralism|publisher=SUNY Press|year=2012|first1=Chris|last1=E. Toffolo|page=166|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=U6zr_759KOAC&pg=PA166|isbn=9780791487495}}</ref> and working women's hostels. VHP is also active in environmental causes such as tree plantations. Social services are provided in religious pilgrimages, emergency help during natural calamities and rural development.<ref name="Magazine.evivek.com"/><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7TLRCtw-zvoC&q=VHP+Social+work&pg=PA105 |title=Everyday Nationalism: Women of the Hindu Right in India – Kalyani Devaki Menon |date= 2011-07-06|access-date=2014-08-14|isbn=978-0812202793 |last1=Menon |first1=Kalyani Devaki }}</ref>
* Relief services – Vishwa Hindu Parishad has provided emergency relief services. In the [[2014 India–Pakistan floods|2014 Jammu and Kashmir floods]], Vishwa Hindu Parishad organised medical and relief camps. These services provided relief via medical camps to 1400 patients.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-jammu-and-kashmir-floods-vishwa-hindu-parishad-organises-medical-camps-1400-patients-treated-2018829|title=Jammu and Kashmir floods: Vishwa Hindu Parishad organises medical camps, 1,400 patients treated|work=dna|date=15 September 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2014-09-15/news/53943132_1_vhp-cattle-feed-jammu-district|title=VHP organises medical camps in Jammu, 1,400 patients treated|work=The Economic Times}}</ref>

== Youth organisations ==
{{Main|Bajrang Dal}}
[[File:An old building at Haridwar.jpg|thumb|Local office of Vishva Hindu Parishad, at [[Haridwar]]]]
The [[Bajrang Dal]] founded in 1984, is organised in many states in major training camps called ''shakhas'', where thousands of youths simultaneously train in various activities, receive sports, education in Hindutva and cultural indoctrination. The [[Durga Vahini]], founded in 1991 under the tutelage of [[Sadhvi Rithambara]] as its founding chairperson and the support of the VHP, is described as the "female arm of the Dal". Members of the Vahini contend that the portrayal of their group as a branch of the Bajrang Dal is an oversimplification, and that their goals are to "dedicate ourselves to spiritual, physical, mental and knowledge development".<ref>[http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20020412/nation.htm#7 Women 'Ram Bhakt' hog limelight],''The Tribune''</ref> The VHP also have divisions made up of women. VHP secretary [[Giriraj Kishore|Giri Raj Kishore]] charted out highly visible roles for women in the group. He charted out two "satyagrahas" for women during their demonstrations.<ref>{{cite book |last1 = Kohli |first1 = Atul |title = The Success of India's Democracy |publisher = Cambridge University Press |year = 2000 |isbn = 978-0-521-80144-7 |page=174}}</ref>

The VHP has been a prime backer of the World Hindu Conference in which issues such as casteism, sectarianism, and the future of Hindus were discussed. Prior Conferences have included Hindu Groups such as [[Parisada Hindu Dharma]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Historic world Hindu conference at Prayag|url=http://www.newstodaynet.com/2007sud/mar07/100307.htm|publisher=News Today|date=March 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090318163654/http://www.newstodaynet.com/2007sud/mar07/100307.htm|archive-date=2009-03-18}}</ref>

== International presence ==
Vishwa Hindu Parishad has presence in 29 countries outside of India.<ref name="INTP">{{Cite web|url=https://vhp.org/vhp-at-glance/hindus-abroad/|title=विदेश में हिन्दू – Hindus abroad – Vhp|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-07}}</ref> The [[Australia]] wing of Vishva Hindu Parishad conducts activities such as conducting weekend schools, language classes, cultural workshops, festivals. The festivals are also organised for open to all communities promoting Unity in Diversity.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.multicultural.vic.gov.au/resources/community-directory?limit=5&action=submitted&e4260f71564abb140405c8f8fa31af89=1&start=1410 |title=Community Directory |publisher=Multicultural.vic.gov.au |date=2014-03-23 |access-date=2014-08-24}}</ref> The press release from city council of Holroyd states that Vishva Hindu Parishad is active in supporting [[multiculturalism]] in the same region.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.holroyd.nsw.gov.au/hindu-heritage-inspires-multiculturalism-in-holroyd/ |title=Hindu heritage inspires multiculturalism in Holroyd | Holroyd City Council |publisher=Holroyd.nsw.gov.au |date=2014-02-13 |access-date=2014-08-24}}</ref>

[[File:Hindu Students Council logo.png|thumb|Logo]]
Hindu Students Council (also known as HSC) is an organization of Hindu students in the [[United States of America]] and [[Canada]]. The HSC was set up in 1990 with support from the Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America.<ref>{{cite book|title=Performative Politics And The Cultures Of Hinduism: Public Uses of Religion in Western India|first1=Raminder|last1=Kaur|publisher=Permanent Black|location=London|year=2003}}</ref> Although the HSC says that it became fully independent in 2003,<ref>{{Cite web|title=VHPA History and Milestones|url=https://www.vhp-america.org/about-vhpa/vhpa-history-and-milestones/|access-date=2021-04-05|website=vhp-america.org|date=2020-05-15}}</ref> its association with that body was a matter of some debate.<ref>{{cite book|title=Contemporary American Religion|first1=Wade Clark|last1=Roof|publisher=Macmillan|page=305|date=2000}}</ref> Prior to its separation from its parent organization, it was considered to be the student-wing of the VHP.<ref>{{cite book|title=Politics After Television: Religious Nationalism and the Reshaping of the Indian Public|first1=Arvind|last1=Rajagopal|publisher=Cambridge University Press|year=2001|page=257}}</ref><ref>[http://www.lse.ac.uk/Depts/global/Publications/Yearbooks/2003/2003Chapter7e.pdf 2003 Yearbook, the Centre for the Study of Global Governance], [[London School of Economics]]</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=The Struggle for India's Soul|author=Kamdar, Mira|publisher=[[World Policy Journal]]|date=2002-09-01|url=https://read.dukeupress.edu/world-policy-journal/article-abstract/19/3/11/52838/The-Struggle-for-India-s-Soul|doi=10.1215/07402775-2002-4006}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Negotiating Hindu Identities in America|author=[[Diana Eck]]|work=The South Asian Religious Diaspora in Britain, Canada, and the United States|editor=Raymond Brady Williams, [[Harold Coward|Harold G. Coward]] and John Russell Hinnells|publisher=[[SUNY Press]]|date=Feb 2000|page=234|url=https://www.sunypress.edu/p-3128-the-south-asian-religious-diasp.aspx}}</ref>

==Violence==

The VHP has been associated with violence on a number of occasions.

The VHP had been aggressively involved in the [[Ayodhya dispute]] over the [[Ram Janmabhoomi]], or [[Babri Mosque]] before its [[Demolition of the Babri Masjid|demolition]], since March 1984, after getting encouraged by the strong response it had got from ''ekatmata yatra'' programme, it organised in 1983, which was aimed at Hindu unity and self-protection against Islam and Christianity. This activity in the Ayodhya issue involved demonstrations, petitions and litigation, along with militant processions, forceful conversion ceremonies and incidents of violence and vandalism, particularly targeting Muslims.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=b70nKb-8YuMC&q=incidents+of+violence+vandalism+particularly+directed+towards&pg=PA67|title=Vishva Hindu Parishad and Indian Politics|last1=Katju|first1=Manjari|date=2003|publisher=Orient Blackswan|isbn=9788125024767|pages=8, 113|language=en}}</ref> The VHP is also said to have sought the destruction of the Babri mosque. According to the VHP and its affiliated organisations, the Babri Mosque was built by demolishing the temple at the birthplace of [[Rama]] ([[Ram Janmabhoomi]]) by the Mughal Emperor [[Babur]] in the 16th century. It further stated in Allahabad court documentation that the building was in a dilapidated condition. It was in ruins and could not be used for worship or any activities.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=b70nKb-8YuMC|title=Vishva Hindu Parishad and Indian Politics|last1=Katju|first1=Manjari|date=2003|publisher=Orient Blackswan|isbn=9788125024767|pages=45, 67|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IY6cdrAV9QAC&pg=PA231|title=Middle East and South Asia 2012|last1=Russell|first1=Malcolm|date=2012-08-01|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|isbn=9781610488891|pages=231|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://elegalix.allahabadhighcourt.in/elegalix/ayodhyafiles/honsaj-vol-7-corrected.pdf|title=Ayodhya files, Vol. 7|publisher=Allahabad High Court|access-date=2014-08-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/mishra/1992/12/x01.htm|title=On Communalism|date=Dec 1992|publisher=Marxists.org|author=Vinod Mishra|access-date=2014-08-24}}</ref>

According to the [[Human Rights Watch]], the VHP and Bajrang Dal, in collaboration with [[BJP]] had been involved in [[2002 Gujarat riots]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hrw.org/reports/2002/india/India0402-06.htm#P898_170936|title=We Have No Orders to Save You: State Participation and Complicity in Communal Violence in Gujarat|website=www.hrw.org|access-date=2017-05-24|publisher=Human Rights Watch|date=2002-04-01}}</ref> Though VHP has denied these claims, VHP spokesman Kaushikbahi Mehta said, "We in the VHP had nothing to do with the violence except to take care of widows and victims of the [[Godhra train burning|Godhra mayhem]]."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Eves-as-Ram-bhakts-the-Gujarat-model/articleshow/6548454.cms|title=Eves as Ram bhakts, the Gujarat model|publisher=[[Times of India]]|date=2002-04-11}}</ref>

In 2015, VHP defended the demolition of a church in [[Haryana]], although it has denied involvement in the incident. VHP joint general secretary Surendra Jain alleged that the church was built "for the purpose of aggressive conversion" and likened its destruction to the violence of the 1857 war which he claimed "was fought for the cause of religion".<ref name="VHP defends church demolition">{{Cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/VHP-defends-attack-on-Haryana-church-calls-1857-communal-war/articleshow/46590892.cms|title=VHP defends attack on Haryana church, calls 1857 'communal war'|publisher=Times of India|date=2015-03-17|access-date=2021-04-06|author=Tiwary, Deeptiman}}</ref>

On 4 June 2018, the VHP was classified as a [[militant]] religious organization by the [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]] in its ''[[The World Factbook|World Factbook]]''{{'}}s entry for India,<ref>{{cite web |title=Political Pressure Groups and Leaders |url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/resources/the-world-factbook/fields/print_2115.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180608053701/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/resources/the-world-factbook/fields/print_2115.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2018-06-08 |website=www.cia.gov|date=2018-06-08}}</ref> under the category of political pressure groups, along with [[Bajrang Dal]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://m.timesofindia.com/india/vhp-a-militant-religious-outfit-rss-nationalist-cia-factbook/articleshow/64594295.cms|title=VHP a militant religious outfit, RSS nationalist: CIA factbook |publisher=[[The Times of India]]|author=Dua, Rohan|date=2018-06-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/mobi/news/nation/cia-calls-vhp-bajrang-dal-religious-militant-organisations/605756.html |title = CIA calls VHP, Bajrang Dal 'religious militant organisations'|publisher=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]]|date=2018-06-15}}</ref> The VHP reportedly explored legal options to have this tag removed.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/cia-classifies-vhp-bajrang-dal-as-millitant-religious-outfits-1260635-2018-06-14|title=CIA classifies VHP, Bajrang Dal as millitant religious outfits|newspaper=India Today|language=en|date=2018-06-14|access-date=2019-10-13|agency=Ist}}</ref> ''The World Factbook'' removed the mentions of the VHP and the Bajrang Dal from the entry by 25 June 2018.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Reddy |first1=Akhil |title=Older version of CIA’s World Factbook listed Bajrang Dal and VHP as ‘militant religious organisation’ |url=https://factly.in/older-version-of-cias-world-factbook-listed-bajrang-dal-and-vhp-as-militant-religious-organisation/ |website=Factly |access-date=2 April 2021 |date=24 February 2021}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Bibliography ==
{{Refbegin|35em}}
* {{cite book |last1=Clarke |first1=Peter |year=2004 |title=Encyclopedia of New Religious Movements |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-0-203-48433-3}}
* {{cite book |last1=Jaffrelot |first1=Christophe |year=2011 |title=Religion, Caste, and Politics in India |publisher=C Hurst & Co |isbn=978-1849041386}}
* {{cite book |last1=Juergensmeyer |first1=Mark |year=1993 |title=The New Cold War? Religious Nationalism Confronts the Secular State |publisher=University of California Press |isbn=978-0-520-08651-7 |url=https://archive.org/details/newcoldwarreligi00mark }}
* {{cite book |last1=Katju |first1=Manjari |year=2013 |title=Vishva Hindu Parishad and Indian Politics |publisher=Orient Blackswan |isbn=978-81-250-2476-7}}
* {{cite book |last1=Kumar |first1=Praveen |year=2011 |title=Communal Crimes and National Integration: A Socio-Legal Study |publisher=Readworthy Publications |isbn=978-93-5018-040-2}}
* {{cite book |last1=Smith |first1=David James |year=2003 |title=Hinduism and Modernity| publisher=Blackwell Publishing |isbn=978-0-631-20862-4}}
{{Refend}}

== External links ==
* {{Official website|http://vhp.org/}}

{{Portal|Hinduism|Conservatism|India}}
{{Sangh Parivar}}
{{Hindu Nationalism}}
{{Hindu reform movements}}
{{Bharatiya Janata Party}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Vishva Hindu Parishad}}
[[Category:Vishva Hindu Parishad| ]]
[[Category:1964 establishments in Delhi]]
[[Category:Religious organizations established in 1964]]
[[Category:Organizations established in 1964]]
[[Category:Hindutva]]
[[Category:Hindu nationalism]]
[[Category:Hindu movements]]
[[Category:Hindu organizations]]
[[Category:Hindu organisations based in India]]
[[Category:Hindu new religious movements]]
[[Category:Hindu paramilitary organizations]]
[[Category:Political masks]]
[[Category:Volunteer organisations in India]]
[[Category:Right-wing populism in Asia]]
[[Category:Sangh Parivar]]
[[Category:Opposition to Islam in Asia]]
[[Category:Anti-communist organizations]]
[[Category:Anti-communism in India]]
[[Category:Hindu denominations]]
[[Category:Hinduism-related controversies]]
[[Category:Hindu revivalists]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:45, 2 July 2023
Line 1:		Line 1:
	~~{{Pp-semi-indef}}~~

	{{short description\|Indian right-wing Hindu organisation}}		{{short description\|Indian right-wing Hindu organisation}}

Vishva Hindu Parishad - Revision history

CleanupBot II: Removed empty portal template using script

Bot: Removing protection template from an unprotected page

CleanupBot: /* top */robot: remove incorrect protection templates

imported>EditWiki45: Minor correction

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:25, 15 August 2023
Line 129:		Line 129:
	* {{Official website\|http://vhp.org/}}		* {{Official website\|http://vhp.org/}}

	~~{{Portal\|Hinduism\|Conservatism\|India}}~~
	{{Sangh Parivar}}		{{Sangh Parivar}}
	{{Hindu Nationalism}}		{{Hindu Nationalism}}

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:28, 30 January 2022
Line 1:		Line 1:
	{{Pp-semi-indef}}		{{Pp-semi-indef}}
	{{pp-protected\|reason=Persistent [[WP:Disruptive editing\|disruptive editing]] Restoring indefinite protection. Not sure when it was lifted but the disruptive editing has been pervasive for years. Enough.\|small=yes\|Vandalism}}
	{{short description\|Indian right-wing Hindu organisation}}		{{short description\|Indian right-wing Hindu organisation}}
	{{Use Indian English\|date=January 2015}}		{{Use Indian English\|date=January 2015}}