Ashok Singhal’s clarion call to defeat anti-Hindu forces

Mammoth ‘Dharma-Sabha’ organised by VHP in North-East

Mammoth ‘Dharma-Sabha’ organised by VHP in North-East

From Jyoti Lal Chowdhury, Silchar

December 25: Sidheswar Kapil Muni Ashram on the southern bank of river Barak, the sprawling ground of annual religious celebration dedicated to Lord Shiva, the green forested Borail hills around and a sunny bright day with cool breeze of autumn provided the perfect ambience for the greatest ever ‘Dharma-Sabha’ organised by Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), dakshin purba pranta, of south Assam, also known as Barak Valley, on December 25, addressed by galaxy of Hindu leaders, saints and sages.

VHP international president Ashok Singhal, while addressing the mammoth assembly at the Sidheswar temple fair ground, said, “Our country is faced with crisis and Hindus are subjected to the targets of jihadi forces which are raising their ugly heads. It is not only India but even European countries like France, Germany, America and England which are also in trouble due to the emergence of terrorism.” Singhal cautioned at this critical juncture of the nation when jihadi elements are reinforcing themselves, the only way to meet this challenge “is the unification of Hindus, burying all hatchet.”

The partition of the country on the basis of two nation theory was expected to bring in peace and stability. Most unfortunate, as he pointed out, Hindus were now the worst victims of injustice and discrimination in their own country. They were being hounded out of Pakistan and Bangladesh even after 64 years of the independence. It was ominous that Taliban was taking control of Pakistan with tacit understanding with the military of the country. He exhorted the Hindus “to be prepared for the challenges before them.” He recounted how the forces and elements operating from Pakistan caused blasts in metropolitan cities in order to cripple the economy of the country with dubious design. It was high time they stood up and resisted with all their mite these evils, following the heroic examples of Ram and Krishna who subdued Ravana and Kansha. Referring to the growing incidents of smuggling of cows, kidnapping of women and atrocities on them, besides abductions for ransoms, in this valley, he expressed his grave concern at the inaptitude of the government to provide security and safety to the citizens of this strategically located region having borders with Bangladesh from where mischievous elements easily infiltrated into and were involved in various crimes.

Ashok Singhal reminded how the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh without any concern for the tribals and tea-tribes and their rights on lands and resources being the indigenous and ethnic settlers in this country took the liberty to say that “Muslims have the first rights on the resources.” He described it as a desperate attempt of the ruling party Congress to retain power by resorting to abject policy of appeasement. UPA Government has gone far ahead to placate the religious minority community to provide them undue reservation in jobs which he said was in flagrant violation of the Constitution. There could be no reservation on the basis of religion. VHP international president was of the view that the only way to meet the challenges and defeat the forces working against them was the “unity among the Hindus.”

He at the same time hit out at the missionaries for carrying on conversions among the tribals and tea-tribes, taking advantage of their isolation and illiteracy. It was an exercise to create division in Hindu society against which “we have to remain vigilant and foil the design of missionaries.” It should be the firm resolution to put a halt on conversions. “It is the prime duty of every responsible citizen to protect the glorious tradition and heritage of the country”, he said. Ashok Singhal advised for ‘weekly satsangs’ to forge the sense of unity. It was also his advice that more and more ‘ekal vidyalayas’ (single teacher schools) should be run. This would help in organising the Hindus and fight against the divisive and secessionist forces.

Ashok Singhal pointed his finger at another danger looming large before the country in the event of the proposed ‘Prevention of Communal and Targeted Violence Bill-2011’ being passed by the Parliament as it was framed to implicate Hindus for any act of violence even if provoked by other communities. He asserted “Hindus never indulge in any crime and whichever country they live in never faces any trouble from them.” The Bill was drafted, as he said, at the instigation of Congress High Command, Sonia Gandhi. Against this backdrop of threats to the very identity and existence of the majority community of the country, Hindus should exercise their franchise discreetly in order to overthrow the government at the Centre.

Earlier Ram Kui Zeme, prominent Naga leader of North Cachar Hills, spoke of growing violence against the Hindus and conversion of tribals by missionaries by force and inducements. He exhorted the assembly to unite and fight against such divisive elements. Rathindra Kumar Adhyapak, VHP leader of Barak Valley, said, “none could save you, unless you yourself stood up to face the challenge.” Mrinamayannandiji Maharaj of Bharat Seva Ashram warned of the mischievous design to destroy Hindu culture and heritage. It was a pity that majority Hindus of the country should be in ‘a state of siege.’ He blamed it on the Hindus themselves for deviating from the ideals of Vedic culture, the ideals of Ram and Krishna. He reminded when Arjun was in dilemma to take up arms during Kurukshetra Yudh, it was Krishna who encouraged him to fight. This should be the spirit among the Hindus.

Sadhavi Niranjana Jyoti in her hard-hitting speech lamented at the chaotic condition of the county even after 66 years of independence. “Think of millions of martyrs who liberated us from the colonial British rule to become victims of conspiracy hatched by Sonia Gandhi to denigrate the Hindus by playing Muslim and Christian card,” she moaned. It was time to kill the demons who were involved in a deliberate design to Islamise and Christianise the country. She thundered to say, “if Hindus become terrorists, there will be no terrorist in the world,” referring to the incarceration of Pranja Thakur while Afzal Guru, the mastermind behind the Parliament attack, was being taken well care of.

Before the ‘Dharma-Sabha’ began, holy yagna was performed with all religious fervour and chanting of Vedic mantras for world peace. It was followed by cultural programme presented by various tribal and tea-tribe groups based on religious and patriotic themes. Significantly, on this occasion, 281 tribals and tea-tribes men and women made home-coming who had embraced either Christianity or Islam in the past. They were taken back to Hindu fold observing the holy rituals by priests in the presence of Ashok Singhal and other saints and sages.