Under the banner of Vishwa Hindu Parishad, thousands of Hindu activists belonging to various organisations participated in the Hindu Sankalp March held on July 9. Carrying flags of various Hindu organisations, they marched peacefully, turning the city a sea of saffron. The march began at Mandi House and concluded at Jantar Mantar.
Demonstrating Strength in Numbers
During the march, the enthusiastic participants, which included politicians as well as prominent religious figures, raised slogans of ‘Jai Shri Ram‘, ‘Vande Mataram‘ and ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai‘. More than 1.5 lakh people participated in this march. Such a big march has not been witnessed before in Delhi in recent years. This march in the heart of Delhi was against “attacks carried on members of the Hindu community”.
“Despite the presence of such a large number of people in the Sankalp Hindu March, there was no untoward incident. It was a peaceful march that highlighted the Hindu philosophy of tolerance and peaceful co-existence,” said a participant.
‘All Hindu organisations of Delhi have participated in this historic Hindu Sankalp March. Hindu society has reiterated its resolve that the country will run according to the constitution. All organisations have come together for this. The wishes of some jihadi forces working to prevent India from being a nation will never be fulfilled’. — Kapil Khanna, VHP Leader
The march was a sharp contrast to anti-India protests like those against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) that were organised by Islamic and Left organisations. Such protests often result in the participants looting grocery shops, chemists, furniture and electronic outlets, damaging automobiles and properties, eve-teasing, besides misbehaving with by-standers.
Rallying Behind Nupur Sharma
Addressing the public meeting, VHP International Working President Alok Kumar expressed concern over the recent murder of tailor Kanhaiya Lal in Rajasthan’s Udaipur, and stated that Hindus were being attacked everywhere.
He said, “Many Hindu groups are on the streets today for the Sankalp March. We have gathered here to raise our voice against attacks on Hindus. They cannot be targeted like this, we will not spare those who are targeted.”
Extending support to former BJP functionary Nupur Sharma, who has been given death threats by Islamists after she made remarks on Prophet Mohammad during a TV show even though Islamic scholars have verified authenticity of her comments, Alok Kumarji said Nupur Sharma should be treated “innocent” till the apex court decides otherwise.
Making it clear that the country needs to be run according to the Constitution of Bharat, Alok Kumar said, “I have heard the statements of Nupur Sharma and she gave only two examples from the life of Prophet Muhammad. Until the Supreme Court says that Nupur Sharma is guilty, everyone should consider her innocent. Two judges of the Supreme Court have made a remark and it should not be treated as a judgement.”
Pointing out that through this Sankalp March, Hindus have tried to show their strength and taking a unified stand when it comes to speaking for the safety of their community, Alok Kumarji said, “The march has highlighted the fact that Hindus are believers of Dharma but respect human lives and people of other faiths. Respecting all religions is the core of Hindus. This is the result that Hindus respect all religions. Despite this, there have been constant conspiracies by the Muslims against the Hindus. This is the reason why Hindus are being put to death across the country.”
‘India will be run by the Constitution and not by the Shariat. Hindu brotherhood will serve only those who will walk with the law. Those who cut Hindus’ throats will not be treated as brotherly fodder. This Sankalp March has been organised to make the Hindu society aware of Islamic fundamentalism’
— Mahamandaleshwar Swami Naval Kishore Das Ji
The court had on July 1 reprimanded suspended Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Nupur Sharma for her remarks about Prophet Mohammad, saying that her (Nupur’s) “unbridled tongue” has “infected the entire country”. The court had also said that “Sharma alone is responsible for what is happening in the country” as she made remarks about Prophet Mohammad either to get cheap publicity or under some political agenda or under some hateful activity. In the Hindu Sankalp March, Mahamandaleshwar Swami Naval Kishore Das said that India will be run by the Constitution and not by the Shariat. “Hindu brotherhood will serve only those who will walk with the law.”
Historic March
Pointing out that more than one lakh Hindus, including senior citizens, youth, women, men and children have participated in this Hindu Sankalp March, BJP leader Kapil Mishra said that all Hindus are out on the streets today. “This is a historic Sankalp March in which lakhs of Hindus have participated. Our only message is that India will run through the Constitution. Our main issue is that the fundamentalists who brutally murdered Kanhaiya Lal in Udaipur and Umesh Kohle in Amravati should get capita punishment.”
‘Lakhs of elderly, youth, women, men and children have participated in this Hindu Sankalp March. All Hindus are out on the streets today. I think the jihadists and their supporters and the leaders and journalists who stand behind them have come to know today that India is strongly
against jihad’ — Kapil Mishra, BJP Leader
Expressing satisfaction over the participation of Hindu organisations of Delhi in this historic Hindu Sankalp March, the VHP leader said Hindu society has reiterated its resolve that the country will run according to the Constitution. It saw the participation of Lt Gen Nitin Kohli, Maj Gen Dhruv Kotoch, Maj Gen SP Sinha, Major Gen Sanjay Soi, Vidya Sagar, Former Ambassador, Saroj Bala IRS, former member, CBDT, and many renowned Hindu religious figures.
