The Vishwa Hindu Parishad took strong exception to the sting operation telecasted by some news channels recently. In a statement issued from Allahabad on April 6, VHP patron Shri Ashok Singhal termed it ‘commercialism in the name of journalism which would very soon be exposed’.

“Some people engaged in sponsored sting journalism sitting at the Cobra Post desk are trying to convince the people about Sri Ramjanmabhoomi that some such indigenous violent force is active in Bharat. Sitting by a desk, a good make-believe or story of fantasy or a novel could be written, but then the truth cannot be made evident. The gentleman who has fabricated this story, should once meet those authorities who through their own eyes as also the eyes of the cameras set up all around the Janmabhoomi to learn as to how that structure came down. No iron tool was necessary nor was it ever used. So many Commissions looked into the turn of events and no witness whosoever came forward ever to report to it about any fabricated story of petrol bombs being used. The story is the height of lies and untruth. The Cobra Post is altogether an establishment of dishonesty and deceit. Till a few months ago similar falsehoods were being served by the Tarun Tejpal’s Tehelka and now the credibility and character quotients of both Tarun Tejpal and his Tehelka are exposed before the people. The Tehelka was financially patronised by a Central Cabinet Minister of the Congress-led UPA Government, and the Cobra Post has also been floated under some such conspiracy. This commercialism in the name of journalism would very soon be exposed,” said Shri Ashok Singhal in the statement.

— Bureau Report

Women staying at shelter home in Delhi allege ‘forcible conversion’ by Christian NGO

Five women staying at a shelter home run by a Christian NGO in Delhi on April 4 created ruckus at a local police station alleging that two caretakers of the ahelter home were “forcibly converting” them to christianity. Joined by dozens of locals, they raised slogans at Dwarka South Police Station because the police was not registering FIR. The women named president of the shelter home, Salma Francis, and warden, Elizabeth Thomas, to be involved in the conversion practices.

The Shelter Home, run by the Vision for Oasis Waves Society, houses victims of rape and domestic violence. The women alleged they were forced to wear the Cross, break their Navaratra fast and eat meat on Holi and even beef on some other days in the home. “When we arrived at the shelter home, they were sweet and asked us to adopt Christianity. When we did not comply with their directions, they began torturing us mentally by abusing our religions and not allowing us to perform our prayers,” alleged a 25-year-old rape victim brought to the shelter home in December last year. The warden of the home admitted that three women were made to wear the Cross because “they were troubled by spirits”.

After getting the news, the VHP and the Bajrang Dal activists led by Shri Kamlesh Gupta, Shri Brahmdutt Bhardwaj and Shri Bharat Batra also joined the protest and forced the police to register FIR at 3 am on April 4. The complainants were then sent to Nirmal Chhaya by the police. But suddenly the police took them to women commission next day where they were misbehaved and threatened against making ‘false’ allegations. The VHP again staged a dharna outside Nirmal Chhaya and on April 5 the women were handed over to Bhagini Nivedita Sewa Nyas by Delhi State Women Commission. Shri Mahavir Prasad Gupta, general secretary of the Nyas, received the women. Shri Gupta expressed concern over the growing incidents of conversion in the national capital. But he said they would not tolerate conversion in Delhi at any cost. He urged the police to take immediate action against the culprits.

— Bureau Report

Hindu Munnani demands stern action for insulting Gita

The SSLC examination in Tamil Nadu began on March 25. On March 27, the students appeared for Tamil Paper II exam, which triggered a controversy. The fifth question of the paper read, “What is a book that teaches you to love fellow human?” The three options given were (1) Bible (2) Bhagavad Gita (3) Nannul. The right answer is Bible. Hindu Munnani took strong exception to it and said by implying Bhagavad Gita as wrong answer, the paper has shown disrespect to the holy book. It said such questions based on religion have a confused impact in the minds of the students. Hindu Munnani submitted a memorandum to the Directorate of Government Examinations, demanding stern action against those who prepared the question paper and speedy action against the correction in text books. (Bureau Report)

Deal with China like a powerful country —Dr Kuldip Agnihotri

Odisha unit of Bharat Tibet Sahyog Manch organised a seminar on India-China relations and Tibetan freedom struggle in Bhubaneswar recently. Speaking at the seminar Dr Kuldip Agnihotri, president of the Manch said appeasement of China would not solve the issue. He said India failed to appease China even after offering Tibet in 1950. He said India should behave like a country of 125 crore people and a powerful country. He also urged the Government of India to help Tibetans to achieve their independence. He said the Manch will start a champaign, Shiv Sankalp, to liberate Kailash Mansarover from the clutches of China in the next Sharavan month throughout the nation. Former IPS Shri Arun Kumar Upadhyaya also spoke on the occasion.

— Samanwaya Nanda

Good samskars and value education are integral part of nation building—Mohan Bhagwat

RSS Sarsanghachalak Shri Mohan Bhagwat said good samskars and value education are integral part of nation building. He was speaking at a function organised at Prema Jagati Saraswati the Vihar in Nainital on April 6. The school is among the best schools run by the Vidya Bharati on CBSC pattern. The function was organised to inaugurate Rajju Bhaiya Auditorium. Shri Bhagwat said the objective of education should be nation building. He said we can make a strong Bharat only by following the path of dhrama, culture and good samskars.

Prior to it, Shri Bhagwat also inaugurated a twenty bed Daan Singh Bisht Hospital and a Abhibhavak Bhavan. He also dedicated the Madhukar Hostel Building to the school. Shri AP Singh, chairman of the school, said the school has state of the art shooting range and this year the teaching of disaster management and mountaineering are also to be added. School manager Shri Dinesh Gupt presented a report on 25 years achievements by the school. Prominent among those who were present on the occasion included Shri Ahsok Beri, Shri Dinesh Chandra, Shri Brahmdev Sharma ‘Bhaiji’, Dr Harish, Shri Chandrapal Singh Negi etc.

— Dinesh Mansera

Vriksha Devo Bhava…

Neyveli in Tamil Nadu brings to one’s mind the biggest open coal mine in Asia. Last week a Sangh Shakha in Neyveli decided to take-up watering saplings planted along the periphery of the huge playground where the Shakha is conducted. The Shakha team has taken it up as weekly sewa karya. When swayamsevaks led by young Saravanan systematically began the watering sewa, a lady from a nearby residence became curious and asked what was going on. Swayamsevaks explained her the thoughtful weekly sewa karya they have undertaken. The lady was overwhelmed, but expressed her displeasure over people playing cricket all along the playground “uselessly”. Of course, swayamsevaks had no answer for that. VSK Chennai