The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) turned 60 on September 30 this year. To commemorate the occasion, the organisation’s members in Tamil Nadu decided to garland the Bharat Mata photo and pay respects at Kanyakumari Bhagawati Amman temple on Sannidhi Street.
The VHP had prepared to conduct a ceremony to honor the image of Goddess Bharat near the temple, an event spearheaded by Bajrang Dal state organiser Bhimaram. However, the situation took an unexpected turn when local law enforcement stepped in, forbidding the paying of respects to the Bharat Mata image.
A substantial police presence, consisting of over 70 officers, including ADSP Mathiazhagan and DSPs Mahesh Kumar and Krishnamurthy, was deployed with strict instructions not to permit the homage to the Bharat Mata image.
The police conveyed a firm message to the VHP organizers: “There is no permission to pay respect to the Bharat Mata image.”
Expressing dissatisfaction with the police’s decision, the VHP organisers engaged in a heated dispute, leading to unrest in the area.
Despite the police ban, the VHP organizers defied the order and proceeded to garland the image of Bharat Mata, prompting immediate police action. All 14 individuals involved were swiftly arrested and transported to a private hall, where they commenced a hunger strike to protest their detention.
After hours of intense negotiations, the detained individuals were eventually released in the evening, temporarily defusing the standoff.
The incident has ignited extensive debates and controversies, with many individuals questioning the legality of the police’s actions and their decision to obstruct the honoring of Bharat Mata. The VHP and other Hindu organisations have vehemently criticised the incident, pledging to defend their rights and uphold their freedom to practice their religious beliefs.
Simultaneously, authorities have argued that their decision to prohibit paying respects to the Bharat Mata image was in accordance with the law, intended to ensure “public safety” and “uphold law and order” in the region.
VHP accuses TN govt of anti-Hindu bias
Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) Joint General Secretary Surendra Jain has accused the Tamil Nadu Government of adopting an anti-Hindu stance and suppressing peaceful programmes conducted by Hindu organisations in the state.
Jain stated, “The Stalin Government of Tamil Nadu first spewed venom against Sanatan Hindu Dharma and is now banning peaceful programs organized by Hindu outfits, indicating its commitment to eliminate Hindu Dharma and its followers from Tamil Nadu.”
The VHP has strongly condemned the ban on its programmes and the arrests of its members in Tamil Nadu, labelling these actions as unconstitutional and fostering anti-national elements.
“Hundreds of Karyakartas, including the Organising Secretary of South Tamil Nadu, Sethuraman, and Bajrang Dal’s State convenor Bhimrao, who arrived at Kanyakumari today for the yatra to begin, have also been arrested,” the VHP said.
The organisation further expressed dissatisfaction with the denial of permission for a yatra starting from Chennai in North Tamil Nadu and the restriction of hall meetings, alleging excessive pressure on its volunteers by the police.
The VHP labelled the actions of the Tamil Nadu Government as condemnable and cautioned against pursuing an anti-Hindu agenda.
The statements from the VHP follow remarks made by Udhayanidhi Stalin, son of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, who compared Sanathana Dharma to diseases like dengue and malaria, advocating for its eradication from the country on September 2.
Police arresting gullible citizens in TN
The Tamil Nadu police have been focusing extensively on cracking down on critics of the state government, often neglecting critical problems afflicting the state. Recently, a former VHP leader was arrested in the dead of the night by TN police for his alleged remarks on Ambedkar. Several supporters of the ruling central government have been arrested in areas outside of the state.