Author: Dr Pravin Togadia
Publication: Organiser
Date: February 1, 2004
URL: http://www.organiser.org/dynamic/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=1&page=10
International General Secretary
of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Dr Pravin Togadia has claimed that the
VHP would not canvass for any political party in the coming general elections.
"Our job is to educate people as to where the interest of Hindus lies and
that we shall do in this election also", he said making it clear that those
political parties that neglect Hindu interest would be punished by the
Hindu society. In an exclusive interview to Organiser representative Pramod
Kumar, the renowned cancer surgeon said, "I am interested in "H" (Hindu
politics), nothing less nothing more."
Excerpts: How do you feel about
the outcome of the recent Assembly elections in five States?
Congress has been rejected in all
the States except Delhi. It is basically the combined effect of the NDA´s
performance, Hindu awakening due to the Ram temple movement and the non-performance
of the Congress party whenever it was in power. I do not agree that it
is totally the victory of the popular demand for development alone. If
it were so, why did not the BJP win in Delhi, which is so near to the Central
Government? Only the ruling party can claim that development brought victory
in elections. It was a State election where Congress was the ruling party.
Congress could have claimed that its victory is due to whatever development
it achieved. Whether or not to accept its claim has to be decided by the
people. The opposition party can only promise development. What was rejected
was the rule of the Congress in the three States. There were complex issues
in the election. I feel today's politics does not want to bother with ideology.
Even if ideology has anything to do with victory, first of all the party
has to deliver. Today it has become a fashion to forget ideology and talk
of other issues that have little to do with ideology. It is the general
trend.
What do you think about the sudden
change in the mindset of Pakistan as evidenced during the recent SAARC
summit?
On the eve of the SAARC meeting
there was a suicide attack at the Jammu railway station in which two BSF
jawans, proceeding on leave, were killed. The day SAARC meeting was to
start, there was a fidayeen attack in Jammu. We are concerned with the
security of our own people against terrorism and we feel that Pakistan
is responsible for terrorism in India. We are concerned with the end result.
I wish Pakistan stops all terrorist activities in our country. Otherwise
we should act against Pakistan. For the last half century, Pakistan has
never responded in a civilised neighbourly manner. We expected peace in
Tashkent, in Shimla, in Lahore and in Agra, but in vain. I wonder whether
Pakistan can be trusted.
During the five-year regime of the
NDA no solution of the Ram temple could be found. What do you say?
They have not tried hard. Had they
tried and failed, we could have appreciated their endeavour. But the Government
never undertook a sincere effort. This is what pains us. One can fail only
when one tries. The temple has become almost an untouchable issue. It hurts
every Hindu.
Would the VHP cadre support the
BJP in the coming elections?
In the past too we did not support
any political party. Our role is to educate the people as to where the
Hindu interest lies and that we are doing now also. Educating the people
might benefit some political parties if they take care of the Hindu interest.
And some political parties will be punished, if they ignore Hindu interest.
After all, the Hindu society will decide for itself. Our job is to educate
the people and that we shall continue to do.
How will you educate the people?
The saints have prepared a Hindu
Agenda that will be used to educate Hindus about their political interests.
We shall fight for the Hindu cause with the Hindu Agenda, which includes
the Ram temple, fraudulent conversions, cow-protection, rehabilitation
of Kashmiri Hindus, repeal of Article 370, stopping infiltration of Bangladeshi
Muslims, etc. To decide our further course of action the Board of Trustees,
the highest decision-making body of the VHP, met in Hyderabad from 15-17
January.
The Congress and the Left parties
are forming a separate alliance. What impact will it have on the elections?
It depends what issues they raise.
I am interested in "H" (Hindu politics), nothing less, nothing more. I
shall welcome and support any development that champions the cause of the
"H" factor in politics.
"The saints have prepared a Hindu
Agenda that will be used to educate Hindus about their political interests.
We shall fight for the Hindu cause with the Hindu Agenda, which includes
the Ram temple, fraudulent conversions, cow-protection, rehabilitation
of Kashmiri Hindus, repeal of Article 370, stopping infiltration of Bangladeshi
Muslims."
