Author: Vivek Deshpande
Publication: The Indian Express
Date: September 5, 2008
Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Pravin
Togadia today said that the VHP is firm on going ahead with its programme
to pay tribute to slain Hindu leader Swami Laxmanananda on Septemger7. Charging
that the Orissa government was either not going after the culprits behind
the murder or hiding them under Christian pressure, he dismissed the claim
by the Orissa Archbishop that he was organising the asthikalash (urn)yatra
for Laxmanada. Hindu seers take sarnadhi and are not cremated, pointed out
Togadia. "So there is no question of an urn procession."
The VHP leader asserted that Hindus have aright
to mourn the death of the swamiji. 'We will do it democratically and peacefully,
not only in Kandhamal or Orissa but in the entire country. No power on earth
can stop us from doing it," he thundered. "If Graham Staines can
be mourned for five years, don't the Hindus have a right to mourn their religious
leader?"
Togadia alleged that Church activists are
involved in using tribal children to satisfy their ''unnatural desires".
"Their lands are being appropriated by the Church and their activities
were curbed by the swamiji. That's why the tribals have raised a banner of
revolt against the Church. If the Church has really helped the tribals, how
is it that they (the tribals) are taking to streets against it?" he asked.
When it was pointed out that the Orissa government
has denied permission for his programme, Togadia replied, ''I hadn't sought
any permission. I never seek any permission." Asked how long the Orissa
violence would continue, Togadia quipped, 'We didn't start the violence. We
are Hindus and hence, non-violent. We will do everything in a peaceful manner"
He came down heavily on Union Home Minister
Shivraj Patil, who, he cliamed, had visited the Christians in Orissa but didn't
deem it fit to visit the children of Swami Laxmanananda's ashram or the Hindu
family held hostage by terrorists in Kashmir a few days ago. ''Is he siding
with the killers?" He asked. He also termed the theory of Maoist involvement
in Laxmanananda's killing "false".
Togadia said that the VHP was fully satisfied
with the Amarnath row solution. ''It will end the exploitation of yatris by
horsemen and provide them shelter from snowfall during the two months in the
temporary structures that will be built on the land there."
Commenting on the move to remove one of city's
oldest Mahalaxmi temples for road-widening work, Togadia warned that the VHP
will not let this happen. "The Nagpur authorities have no guts to remove
durgahs right in the middle of the roads but wants to remove the old temple,"
he pointed out.
Referring to the Bihar floods, Togadia said
that all 75,000 VHP committees from across the country have been asked to
collect funds and other material to help the "Hindu" victims. Asked
why Muslims would be left out, he replied, "If anybody comes to us for
help, we will help them. But I am a narrow-minded Hindu and can think of helping
only Hindus. 1 have no fascination for being secular."
