VHP’s “Jihad-Free Delhi” Campaign Sparks Big Controversy Ahead of Chhath Puja.

‘Jihad-Free Delhi’: VHP’s Certification Plan for Chhath Puja Aims to Exclude Halal during Hindu Festivals.

Upananda Brahmachari | HENB | New Delhi | Oct 26, 2025:: The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has launched a campaign in Delhi titled “Jihad-Free Delhi,” distributing “Sanatan Pratishtha” stickers to Hindu shopkeepers and vendors during the Chhath Puja festival. The initiative aims to promote “pure and authentic” puja materials, but critics argue it is a thinly veiled attempt to economically isolate Muslim traders and segregate markets along communal lines.

As Muslims believe in Halal propagation in their business and lifestyle in a ‘Jihadi’ mode, the counterproductive ‘Sanatan Pratishtha’ initiative is now paving the way for a ‘Halal-free’ practice among Hindus in Delhi for their holy festivals.

VHP’s Sanatani Vyaparik Pratisthan has taken charge to unite Hindu businessmen, traders, and consumers in this regard.

The Campaign’s Objectives

The VHP claims that the stickers symbolize a commitment to cultural preservation and religious purity. According to VHP Provincial Secretary Surendra Gupta, the campaign is a peaceful and transparent effort to protect Sanatan culture. The organization has announced the establishment of stalls across all 30 districts of Delhi, where puja materials will be sold and distributed with assurances of quality and authenticity according to righteousness, 

In an interview with News State, Gupta said, “Every religion has the right to preserve its faith and customs in its own way. There’s no harm in maintaining distance from people who often give calls for ‘Sar Tan se Juda’ – cut the head from the body. When it comes to business profits, they speak out for harmony, but otherwise, they say to cut the Kaffirs. Now, not only during Chhath Puja, but we should maintain our policy in every Hindu temple and Hindu festival.

Verification Process and Sticker Distribution

The VHP has initiated a verification process for Hindu shopkeepers and vendors, which includes inspection of documents, shop registration, and identity confirmation by local representatives. Upon completion of the checks, participating establishments will receive an official “Sanatan Pratishtha” sticker to display.

Criticism and Concerns

Critics argue that this initiative implicitly identifies traders by their religion, thereby excluding Muslim vendors from festival-related trade. The campaign’s focus on religious identity rather than quality or affordability has raised concerns about economic segregation within the capital’s markets. Observers fear that this effort may soon encompass general trade, formalizing a system of economic segregation.

Historical Parallels and Implications

Analysts have drawn parallels between this campaign and the economic targeting of Jewish businesses in Nazi Germany, arguing that the use of stickers to certify religious identity echoes earlier methods of exclusion through visual marking. Historians suggest that such actions aim to marginalize economically vulnerable Muslim traders, particularly street vendors and hawkers, while sparing wealthy Muslim business owners whose interests align with political power. 

According to Quranic teachings, Muslims consider non-believers as Kaffirs, which often results in Hindus being targeted by Muslims in India and elsewhere. Hindus face various forms of Islamic adversity, including ‘love jihad’, ‘land jihad’, and ‘halal jihad’, making retaliation from the majority community a natural response. As Muslims increasingly challenge Hindu culture, practices, and way of life in an aggressive manner, Hindus are now adopting a retaliatory stance.

Conclusion

The VHP’s ‘Jihad-Free Delhi’ campaign has sparked controversy and raised concerns about the potential consequences of promoting economic segregation and communal division in the city to safeguard Hindu interests. As the campaign continues, it remains to be seen how the authorities will respond to allegations of communal bias and exclusion, as well as Islamic interference in every sphere of Hindu life.
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_Agency Inputs.