Festivals in the country are now becoming more of a battle to deal with the so-called ‘Jihad’ than a celebration. Slogans of ‘Garba Jihad’ were raised during Navratri, appeal was made to Hindus only to apply Mehndi on Karva Chauth, now before Diwali the hoardings of Vishwa Hindu Parishad have created a new controversy.
Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) Bhopal Big hoardings have been put up on which mainly these slogans are written – ‘Celebrate your festival, treat your loved ones’, and ‘Buy Diwali from those who can celebrate Diwali with your purchases.’
In political circles, these slogans are now being seen as ‘deal with your own people or boycott others’, which has given rise to a new political conflict.
Earlier, during Navratri, a campaign was launched across the country in the name of ‘Garba Jihad’ to stop the entry of Muslims, while on the occasion of Karva Chauth, Hindu organizations called for Mehndi to be applied only by Hindus. When Diwali approached, Vishwa Hindu Parishad got hoardings put up for Hindus.
VHP statement
Vishwa Hindu Parishad’s publicity chief Jitendra Chauhan has given clarification on this controversy. He says that the sole purpose of these posters put up by the organization is to support Hindu shopkeepers, traders and street vendors so that they can earn some money from this festival that comes once a year and they too can have a good Diwali.
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