IS THE Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) and its Lok Sabha MP from Gorakhpur Yogi Adityanath working at cross-purposes. While the BJP is holding its National Executive meet in Lucknow on December 22-24, Adityanath plans to do his own things in his constituency, organising a Vishwa Hindu Mahasammelan and Virat Hindu Sangam there during the same dates.
Along with the representatives of 970 Hindu organisations, around 10,000 sadhus and saints from various corner of the country would participate in the Adiyanath show. Shankaracharya of Govardhanpeeth Nischalalnand will inaugurate the convention, which will be chaired by Mahanth Avaidyanath.
Adityanath’s venture may simply take the sheen off the BJP meet, which is likely to launch its Vidhan Sabha election campaign by raking up the emotive Hindutva issue, including construction of Ram Temple at Ayodhya.
Participants at Adityanath’s show will mull over issues like ban on cow slaughter, amendment in Article 370, check on conversion and issues connected with the Hindus in the neighbouring countries.
Talking to Hindustan Times, Adityanath said a demand at the Mahasammelan for declaration of Nepal as a Hindu country, restoration of monarchy, ban on conversion and cow slaughter in Nepal.
Terming declaration of Nepal as a secular country a conspiracy hatched by the maoists on the direction of Pakistan’s Inter Services Intelligence, Adityanath said the Hindus were being marginalised in that country.
{{/usCountry}}Terming declaration of Nepal as a secular country a conspiracy hatched by the maoists on the direction of Pakistan’s Inter Services Intelligence, Adityanath said the Hindus were being marginalised in that country.
{{/usCountry}}He said the Mahasammelan would also draw the attention of the government toward exploitation of Hindus in Bangladesh, Pakistan and Bhutan. “The aim of the convention is to create awareness among the Hindus to fight for their rights and to check infiltration from the neighbouring countries into India,” he said.
When asked why was he organising the Mahasammelan at the same time when the BJP was organizing its national executive meet, Adityanath said the dates of the programme were decided in September.
“The BJP leadership will only focus on political issues, whereas in Gorakhpur the discussion will be on bigger issues associated with the Hindus,” he said.
He said if the BJP really wanted to win over the confidence of the Hindus, then it would have to focus on cultural nationalism rather than political issues. The leaders should realise that the Hindus would not be fooled every time, he added.