VHP demands honorarium, free housing for Hindu priests, sets Feb 28 deadline

Accusing the state government of showing religious bias, the state Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the newly formed Kardar Sangh demanded on Friday that the state government grant honorarium, pension and free housing facilities to Hindu priests in the state by February 28.

Accusing the state government of showing religious bias, the state Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the newly formed Kardar Sangh demanded on Friday that the state government grant honorarium, pension and free housing facilities to Hindu priests in the state by February 28.

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In a joint state-level meeting of the parishad and the Sangh at Ladruhi village of Jogindernagar sub-division, VHP member Swami Govind Das Vaishnav said that a state-wide agitation would be held on the first day of seven-day-long Shivratri fair if their demands were not met.

Accusing the state government of playing "divide and rule" to secure their "vote-bank", he said that while he is not against any religion, the Congress-led government, both at the Centre and the state, provides free financial aid, housing and other facilities to maulavis through wakf board, while ignoring Hindu priests. He sought an "independent board" for the purpose

"When every religion has the same dignity and respect in our Constitution, why does the government promote a particular religion? It is against the spirit of democracy," he added.