NEW DELHI: The Vishwa Hindu Parishad has demanded that Centre and states should formulate a national population policy to check the “imbalance” brought out by the recent religious census. It also appealed to the Muslim community to initiate internal reforms.
The Hindutva organisation in its marg darshak mandal meeting Nasik adopted a resolution expressing concerns over the “increasing” Muslim population which it claimed was creating an imbalance that could affect the very existence of the country.
“India has been known for police of communal and social harmony, vasudhaiva kutumbakam (world is one family). The diminishing Hindu population can harm this image of India. A dangerous trend is emerging from the recent census figures. For the first time Hindu population has fallen below 80 percent,” the resolution said.
The VHP, known for its aggressive nationalism, claimed that population imbalance would not only affect Hindus but even the Muslims as large parts of their population would stay backward. We appeal to Muslims in order to curb bad affects on their community should start a process of internal reforms....when Arab countries can adopt family planning then why not the Indian Muslims,” the resolution added.
Sounding an alarmist note, the VHP said that communal harmony has ended in Muslim dominated districts - the entire Kashmir valley, three districts of Bihar, West Bengal, nine districts in Assam. “Non-muslims do not feel safe. State and central governments are helpless in these districts. That’s why some Muslim leaders say that when their population would reach 20 percent, then Hindus would have to stay according to their terms,” the resolution adopted at VHP meeting on Saturday said.
The issue of religious census is keenly debated among the Hindutva organisations. The government had released the figures ahead of the Bihar elections. The RSS has also decided to seriously take up the issue and discuss it in detail in its next meeting in Ranchi in October-November. A three-member panel has been set up by the Sangh to study the issue and submit its report.
Citing reasons for increase in Muslim population VHP - which is also affiliated to RSS - said Marg Darshak Mandal listed illegal immigration, religious conversion, having many wives, no family planning. The resolution added that some conservative Muslims organisations were even pushing Muslims to follow this path.
The VHP also adopted two more resolutions on cow protection, and social inclusion to stop discrimination against Dalits.
In its resolution to stop discrimination, it called upon all religious leaders to tour areas dominated by Dalits to hold functions and discourses.
To bring homogenisation of Hindu community, it called for common use of water resources, cremation ground, and temples by members of all social communities.
“Saints belong to the entire country. Hindus should together celebrate the birth and death anniversaries of all saints like Guru Nanak, Buddha, Mahavir, Valmiki, Ravidas,” the resolution said adding that Hindus should jointly fight attempts to degrade their religious values.