VHP to Launch Grassroots Mobilisation and Social Harmony Campaign for 62nd Anniversary
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) is set to mark its 62nd foundation anniversary on September 4 with nationwide outreach programmes. The campaign will focus on social harmony and grassroots mobilisation across the country.
Speaking at a gathering in Chennai on August 31, organised by VHP Uttar Tamil Nadu, VHP Organising General Secretary Milind Parande announced that the organisation will prioritise its campaign against "love jihad" to protect Hindu women, alongside its efforts for cow protection. The VHP was originally founded on Krishna Janmashtami in 1964 in Bombay by S.S. Apte, Swami Chinmayananda, and M.S. Golwalkar.
Grassroots Mobilisation and Membership Drive
According to Parande, the organisation plans to reach the grassroots level through events across India, covering nearly 10,000 prakhands (organising blocks). He emphasised that the anniversary will serve as a broad-based grassroots mobilisation exercise rather than a symbolic event.
"We are planning to launch a membership drive in another two months with a target of adding over two lakh members in Tamil Nadu," Parande stated. He added that the VHP will undertake a countrywide jagaran campaign lasting more than 15 days to mobilise the Hindu community and spread the message of social harmony.
Parande, who is currently on a five-day tour of Tamil Nadu, noted that the VHP aims to expand its reach to two lakh more villages this year. The organisation's primary focus areas will include base consolidation, Gau Raksha (cow protection), and Hindu Samskar.
Concerns Over Family Values and Birth Rates
Addressing social issues, Parande expressed concern over the weakening of closely knit family traditions, rising suicide rates, crimes against women, corruption, the erosion of basic values, and caste discrimination. He noted that an increasing number of people are seeking divorce over minor issues and approaching courts for alimony and matrimonial disputes, stating that "Hindu philosophies are under great challenge."
Parande also raised concerns regarding a declining birth rate, pointing out that Tamil Nadu's birth rate stands at 1.3, which is below the replacement fertility rate of 2.15. He described this trend as dangerous for society and stated that the Hindu population has been gradually declining.
He argued that the single-child norm could deprive future generations of extended family relationships, such as cousins, uncles, and aunts. He added that children raised without siblings might lack interpersonal communication skills and the ability to adjust with others, noting that Hindu society has been particularly affected by this norm.
Demographic Shifts and Missing Women
Discussing historical and demographic trends, Parande stated that the Hindu population was considerably reduced due to conversions following the Partition of India, during which he claimed nearly 20 lakh Hindus were massacred and women and girls were raped. He also claimed that Hindus have become minorities in Nagaland and Mizoram, and that Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu is now a Christian-majority district.
On the issue of missing women, Parande cited police data indicating that 18 lakh women, including three lakh girls below the age of 18, went missing within a two-and-a-half-year period starting from 2023. He suggested some of these cases were linked to "love jihad" and trafficking for sexual exploitation or forced labour, calling for greater attention to the issue.
Regarding the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, Parande said many individuals had associated with the cause and claimed that a significant number of people are returning to the Hindu fold through the VHP's Ghar Vapasi programmes.
Cow Protection and Social Unity
Cow protection remains a key focus area for the VHP. Parande estimated that approximately two lakh cows had been killed and announced that the campaign against cow slaughter would be intensified. He urged the community to address internal divisions, stating, "We have to think about the fault lines. Anti-Hindu forces exploit these fault lines to their favour. So we should remove such fault lines within our society."
He highlighted the cultural and geographical links across India, noting that people from all regions visit Ayodhya, Kashi, and Gaya, while pointing to historical connections between Tamil Nadu and temples in Nepal. "If we unite and follow dharmic values, none can split us or convert us," he said. He added that the VHP will also focus on health, education, self-employment generation, and soft-skill development in Tamil Nadu.
A VHP leader stated that placing samajik samrasta (social harmony) at the core of the anniversary celebrations is intended to reinforce the idea that Hindu consolidation must be accompanied by social unity. The leader noted that this approach would hold resonance in states like Uttar Pradesh, where issues such as religious conversion, cow protection, and alleged "love jihad" remain prominent.
The Chennai event was presided over by Uttar Tamil Nadu VHP president Andal Chockalingam, with state secretary Bala Manimaran and other VHP functionaries in attendance.
