Minority ministry junk cry

J.P. YADAV

New Delhi, June 26: The Vishwa Hindu Parishad has demanded scrapping of the minority affairs ministry and the National Commission for Minorities, terming them an "atrocity" on Hindus and minority groups like the Buddhists and the Sikhs. The central governing council of the VHP - a Sangh affiliate - passed a resolution at a two-day meeting that ended yesterday in Vadtal, Gujarat, saying the very idea of such a ministry and commission "leads to a separatist mindset". "The minority commission builds such an atmosphere as if Christians and Muslims in India are suffering. This is not only an atrocity on the Hindus but also on other minorities like the Buddhists and the Sikhs. This gives rise to a separatist mindset," the resolution said. It added that all citizens should be treated equally and the national human rights commission was enough to address the grievances of all. The VHP also criticised protests over last week's beef-related lynching of a Muslim teenager on a train near Delhi. Sunil Jain, VHP joint general secretary and a veteran RSS pracharak, lashed out at those offering Id prayers with black bands today and the statement of Jamiat-Ulama-i-Hind chief Mahmood Madani against the lynching. "Offering namaz with black bands and Madani threatening action by Muslim youths will not be tolerated anymore. These separatists forces should be dealt with strongly," Jain said. He also slammed a special minority commission helpline for Muslims. "This (helpline) makes one feel the atrocities against Muslims have reached extreme proportions. This is not correct." The VHP resolution described gau rakshaks (cow protectors) "worthy of respect", claiming they were stepping in as states could not protect the "sacred" animal, and alleged a "conspiracy" to malign them with false cases. The resolution "congratulated" the people of Bengal for participating in large numbers in marches brought out by RSS-aligned outfits on Ramnavami this April after "decades of suppression under the jihadis, Leftists and Trinamul". Some state BJP leaders were booked after many marchers were seen brandishing swords and other sharp weapons. The VHP resolution criticised a move to charge GST on the prasad of Tirupati and other big temples and demanded its rollback.