Hindu Exodus: VHP Demands Law to Address Pan-India Concerns.

VHP Raises Alarm Over Hindu Exodus, Cites Demographic Shifts Across India.

Upananda Brahmachari | HENB | New Delhi | Sept 3, 2025:: In a recent statement, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has sounded the alarm over a perceived “Hindu exodus” in various parts of the country, citing demographic shifts in districts like Sambhal in Uttar Pradesh. According to VHP’s international president, Alok Kumar, the decline in Hindu population is not limited to Sambhal but is a pan-India issue that requires a stringent law to address it.

Demographic Shifts: A Pan-India Concern

The VHP’s concerns are based on a judicial commission’s report on the 2024 Sambhal violence, which highlights a significant decline in Hindu population from 45% at the time of independence to 15% currently. Kumar asserts that this phenomenon is not unique to Sambhal, but is observed in many districts across the country.

“We know when the Muslim population increases significantly, an atmosphere is created which compels the Hindus in their neighbourhood to abandon their homes and shift. And this causes a serious problem that reflects upon Hindu-Muslim relations,” Kumar told TOI.

Regions Affected

The VHP has identified several regions where the exodus of Hindus and subsequent demographic changes have been observed. These include:

– Assam and West Bengal: Bordering districts have witnessed a significant decline in Hindu population.
– Mewat Region: Covering parts of Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, this region is also experiencing threatening demographic shifts due to its large Muslim majority population.

Expert Analysis

Experts say that demographic changes are linked to various factors, including migration, fertility patterns, economic opportunities, and communal tensions. They also warn that linking demographic changes to security and national defense could escalate communal polarization.

“By linking demographic changes with security and national defence, the VHP seeks to set the stage for communal consolidation and political mobilisation. Nevertheless, it risks escalating communal polarisation unless balanced by nuanced policy discussion,” an expert said.

Political Implications

The issue has attained overtones with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath accusing the previous SP and Congress governments of targeting Hindus and subjecting them to gross atrocities. As the 2027 UP elections approach, highlighting Hindu “exodus” and demographic changes could become a strong campaign theme for Hindutva groups.

A Look Back

In 2016, the VHP had released a list of 38 villages in eight districts of west UP where it claimed the Hindu population declined drastically from around 40% to 10%. This was after BJP’s Kairana MP, Hukum Singh, had released a list of 346 Hindu families which had allegedly migrated from the town.

The controversy surrounding the “Hindu exodus” narrative raises questions about the role of politics in shaping demographic discourse. As the debate continues, one thing is clear: the issue of demographic changes and its implications for communal relations requires a nuanced and balanced approach.

Key Quotes

– “It’s a fact that this (exodus of Hindus) has happened in many, many districts in the country.” – Alok Kumar, VHP International President
– “By linking demographic changes with security and national defence, the VHP seeks to set the stage for communal consolidation and political mobilisation.” – Expert

Now, this Hindu exodus  highlights the complexities surrounding demographic changes and communal relations in India. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how policymakers, stakeholders and BJP run state administrations will address these concerns.
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__Agency Inputs.