Ayodhya on November 25: VHP raises a militia

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) claims to have recruited 10,000 youth in Awadh in preparation of the ‘Dharma Sansad’, a congregation of ’saints and seers’ at Ayodhya on Sunday, November 25. Confirming this, VHP spokesman Devendra Mishra, who is in charge of Awadh Zone, told NH that the youth, between the age of 15 and 35 years, have been initiated by what is known in VHP circles as ‘Trishul Deeksha’.

Replica of a trident is handed over to the youth after the initiation and hence the name ‘Trishul (trident’) Diksha’, said Mishra. He admitted that this volunteer force (a militia of sorts) has been raised in the expectation that the congregation at Ayodhya on November 25 would attract 100,000 people.

The ‘Trishul Diksha’ had been apparently phased out after the gory incident in Odisha, where an Australian missionary and his two sons were burnt alive by VHP and Bajrang Dal activists in 1998. Mishra also said that no such ‘Diksha’ had taken place in his zone for the past three years.

“The aim is to raise a dedicated force of Ram Bhakts, who can reach any place at short notice,” explained Mishra. “Trishul is an integral part of Hindu religion and the initiation is meant to make the youth take pride in being a Hindu,” he added.

Jahan jawani jaati hai wahin desh jaata hai (where youth goes, the country also follows), he quoted approvingly to make his point.

VHP has called for the congregation at Ayodhya, Nagpur and Bengaluru to put pressure on the Government to promulgate an ordinance for the construction of the Ram Temple at Ayodhya.

While the Bajrang Dal’s mottos are said to be ‘Seva, Suraksha and Sanskar’, the militant youth wing of the VHP is known to provide muscle as and when required. They are also motivated to campaign over issues like “Ghar Wapsi”( Reconversion or Return to the fold), protection of Hindu community and opposition to cases of ‘love jihad’.