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Modi govt Hindu-friendly, VHP chief says in Haridwar
The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance rule at the Centre is concerned about issues relating to Hindus, which was missing during previous governments, Vishwa Hindu Parishad international president Vishnu Sadhashiv Kokje said on Saturday
The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance rule at the Centre is concerned about issues relating to Hindus, which was missing during previous governments, Vishwa Hindu Parishad international president Vishnu Sadhashiv Kokje said on Saturday.
Kokje was in Haridwar where he offered rituals to the Ganga, met spiritual leaders, and held a meeting of VHP office-bearers.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government is going in the right direction; such is the impact or fear among rival party leaders that they too are now paying obeisance at mutts and masjids,” Kokje told reporters, hinting at Congress president Rahul Gandhi’s recent visits to temples.
Asked about the VHP stand if the Supreme Court doesn’t give a favourable judgment on the proposed Ram temple at Ayodhya, he said he didn’t want to comment as the matter was sub judice. He expressed optimism that the judgment would be in favour of Hindus, as “it’s a matter of religious faith and birthplace of deity Ram.”
“In case the court order goes against Shri Ram Janambhoomi, then we will create a movement, wherein people will urge parliamentarians and the union government to bring in a legislation, paving the way for the construction of a grand Lord Rama temple at the very site,” the VHP chief said at the Press Club.
“We are not for an out-of court settlement but have faith in judiciary and would abide by the apex court’s verdict,” said Kokje, a former judge of the Himachal Pradesh high court.
Kokje expressed displeasure over politicians eating out at dalits’ houses just for publicity. “Dalits had been harassed for centuries, so eating meals in their houses over a few months won’t bring about a drastic change in their life and livelihood,” he said.
“We have to change the mindset towards them; they need to be equally treated both in action and thoughts. This will herald a new era for dalits and make the country stronger.”
Earlier, Kokje performed rituals at the sanctum sanctorum of Brahmakund, Har-Ki-Pauri, where the Ganga Sabha and teerth purohits welcomed him. The VHP chief also visited Gayatri Shantikunj, where he discussed with spiritual ideologue Dr Pranav Pandya about joint programmes on Indian culture.
