Vishwa Hindu Parishad plans to increase its presence from 60,000 villages to one lakh villages

VHP plans to expand presence to one lakh villages on the occasion of completing 60 years. Passes resolution to oppose Karnataka temple bill, and condemns pro-Pakistan slogans at its two-day South Karnataka convention in Mangaluru.

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), which will complete 60 years this year, has planned to expand its presence from 60,000 villages to one lakh villages across the country, according to its Central Joint General Secretary K. Sthanumalayan.

Addressing presspersons on the last day of the VHP’s two-day South Karnataka convention in Mangaluru, he said that the VHP’s presence is poor in North-East, Tamil Nadu and Punjab. “The VHP has planned to expand its village committees from 60,000 villages to one lakh villages. Of them, 15,000 committees will be in Tamil Nadu and 10,000 committees will be in Punjab,” he said.

“The committees will be expanded to protect, preserve and propagate Hindu dharma,” he said, adding that the VHP has presence in 32 countries from Japan to Canada. It opened the units in France, Guyana, South Africa, Malaysia, Indonesia and Maynamar recently.

Referring to the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in April-May, Mr. Sthanumalayan said that the VHP will motivate people to achieve 100% voting and “vote for national interest.”

South Karnataka Executive President of the VHP M. B. Puranik said that about 300 representatives took part in the convention which passed a resolution opposing the Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments (Amendment) Bill, 2024. The Bill was passed by both the Houses of Legislature last month and is awaiting the approval of the Governor.

According to the Bill, the government will nominate the president of the temple management committee instead of the committee members selecting the president from among themselves. It is an attempt to take over the administration of temples by the government, Mr. Puranik said.