Vishwa Hindu Parishad holds sword-wielding rally in Kerala, workers booked
India Today
Durga Vahini, the women’s wing of the Vishva Hindu Parishad, held a rally in Thiruvananthapuram. The rally came under scanner after several young women and girls were seen brandishing swords.
A non-bailable case has been registered against the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) workers for conducting a rally in public with swords in Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram. A case has been registered against the workers for organising an event in a manner that incites religious hatred.
The rally was held on May 22 at Mararimuttam near Aryankode as part of the VHP's study camp (Padana Sibiram). The police only allowed marching as part of the study camp. But the organisers conducted a 'Durga Vahini' rally, in which young women and girls brandished swords.
The case has been registered under the Arms Act and the provisions of the Act for inciting religious hatred among the communities. The charges against offenders are non-bailable.
The sword-wielding rally faced severe criticism when videos and photos of girls participating in the rally were widely circulated on social media.
The Popular Front of India’s political offshoot, Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) had lodged a complaint with the police. Police said they are examining the video footage and have registered a case against 70 people.
