Shaurya Jagran Yatra: To Counter ‘Conversion’ and ‘Love Jihad’ VHP plans to rise Dhrama Warriors.

VHP plans nationwide ‘shaurya jagran yatra’, to raise ‘dharma yoddhas’

“We will awaken people against the menace of conversion and love jihad through these tours,” according to VHP spokesperson Vinod Bansal.  

Deeptiman Tiwary | IE Online | New Delhi | Sept 12, 2023:: As part of its countrywide ‘shaurya jagran yatra’ (valour tour) between September 30 and October 15 to “re-energise” society on Hindu Dharma and create awareness on “love jihad, conversion and Sanatan Dharma”, the VHP plans to raise groups of “dharma yoddhas”, or religious warriors, to keep an eye on “anti-religious activities”, among others.

The event comes in the run-up to the inauguration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, planned in January 2024.

“We will awaken people against the menace of conversion and love jihad through these tours,” according to VHP spokesperson Vinod Bansal.

“We are also raising groups of dharma yoddhas who will keep an eye on anti-religious activities, prevent conversion and organise ghar wapsi programmes. A comprehensive plan has been devised which will be carried out through the length and breadth of the country,” Bansal said.

“Love jihad” is a term used by Hindutva organisations for Muslim men marrying Hindu women, while “ghar wapsi” is meant to describe people who have converted to other religions returning to the Hindu fold.

With Lok Sabha polls scheduled by the summer of 2024, the yatra assumes significance, as it has the potential to create a religious fervour in favour of the BJP.

“We will not only make people aware but also raise groups of youths to deal with elements involved in such action. The issue of Sanatan Dharma will be discussed at public meetings during the yatra.”

Bansal said the yatra is meant to warn Hindu society of “nefarious designs” of those opposed to Hindu Dharma, “prepare them to fight such forces”, and bring people from other faiths back into the Hindu fold.

Sources said the yatra is being held earlier than scheduled at some places where elections are due.

Bansal said the VHP plans to collect five earthen lamps from each household across the country before the statue of Lord Ram is consecrated at the Ayodhya temple.

The VHP programme will include padyatra by saints, who will go door-to-door across the country and deliver religious lectures at temples, according to Bansal. “The saints will make people aware of how people must stand up for their faith and be aware of the designs of anti-religious people,” he added.

For the inauguration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, VHP is working out a plan that includes live broadcast of the event on giant LED screens at public places, conducting religious rituals around the time of inauguration, and inviting eminent citizens of the country to Ayodhya to witness the event. “The larger plan is to reconnect with 62 crore people who donated for Ram Temple,” the VHP leader said.

The organisation is also working on devising programmes to honour those who participated in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, or contributed towards it. Those who “sacrificed” for the temple construction would be specially remembered, Bansal said.

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Courtesy: Indian Express.