Alarmed at dwindling Hindu population, Bajrang Dal to campaign against religious conversion
Milind Parande, the organizational secretary of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, visited Jaipur on Saturday to participate in the national meeting of Bajrang Dal. During his visit, he expressed concern over animal fat being found in the prasadam at Tirupati Balaji Temple, stating that it is time for Hindu society to take over the management of temples.
He announced that Bajrang Dal, which has previously focused on cow protection and "love jihad," will now also work against conversion efforts. To raise awareness among youth about the increasing issue of substance abuse, they will organize a "Run for Health," where young people will run in 7,000 locations across the country over 10 days.
Parande mentioned that over 100 representatives from various states participated in the national meeting focused on expanding the reach of Bajrang Dal. He highlighted plans for a major program in November aimed at drug addiction awareness, which will involve millions of youth running at the block level across the nation.
He raised alarms about the imbalance in Hindu population in various regions and a conspiracy for conversions, asserting that Bajrang Dal will take on this challenge. Noting the need for a central law against conversions, he indicated that discussions would be held with political parties to address this national issue.
Parande cited statistics revealing that 8,000 to 9,000 girls return home each year and are remarried, while Ministry of Home Affairs data show that 1.3 million women in India are missing, including 300,000 under 18. He stressed that Bajrang Dal will take lawful actions within the current legal framework.
He condemned the presence of animal fat and fish oil in the prasadam at Tirupati Balaji, calling it a grave insult to Hindu sentiments and an example of governmental bias against Hindu temples. Parande noted that in southern India, many temples are under government control, leading to increased issues.
Additionally, he addressed the incidents of violence during Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations, calling for strict action against those responsible. He urged Hindu society to create conditions that discourage migration, emphasizing the importance of showcasing strength rather than fleeing.
Parande affirmed that the welfare of the majority community is essential for the country's overall well-being and highlighted the need to honor and uplift this community. He also mentioned plans to increase the number of "Trishul Diksha" programs as symbols of faith.
Furthermore, he noted that the Vishwa Hindu Parishad is active in health, education, and employment initiatives in over 500 districts, providing self-employment to 14,000 individuals, despite not being an economic organization.