Vishva Hindu Parishad

Vishva Hindu Parishad
AbbreviationVHP
Formation29 August 1964 (29 August 1964)[1]
Founder
  • M. S. Golwalkar
  • S. S. Apte
  • Swami Chinmayananda
TypeRight-wing
PurposeHindu nationalism, Hindutva, and pan-Dharmic religions
HeadquartersNew Delhi, India
Coordinates28°20′N 77°06′E / 28.33°N 77.10°E / 28.33; 77.10
Region
Worldwide
Official language
Hindi
International President
Rabindra Narain Singh[2]
International Working President
Alok Kumar Advocate
AffiliationsSangh Parivar
Websitevhp.org

The Vishva Hindu Parishad (विश्व हिन्दू परिषद्) (VHP), meaning "World Council of Hindus," is a right-wing Hindu organization in India that promotes Hindu nationalism. It was founded in 1964 by M. S. Golwalkar, S. S. Apte, and Swami Chinmayananda. Its goal is to unite Hindus and protect Hindu traditions. The VHP focuses on building and renovating Hindu temples, addressing issues like cow slaughter and religious conversions. It is part of the Sangh Parivar, a group of Hindu nationalist organizations led by the RSS.[3][4][5]

The VHP has been criticised for contributing to violence against Muslims in India, most notably for its role in the demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992 over the Ayodhya dispute.[6][7]

References

  1. "VHP at Glance". Vhp.org. 1964-08-29. Archived from the original on 2021-10-06. Retrieved 2021-04-04.
  2. "Rabindra Narain Singh elected as VHP president". 13 December 2021.
  3. "Timeline of events, including formation of VHP". RSS. Retrieved 2021-04-01.
  4. Jelen, Ted Gerard; Wilcox, Clyde (2002). Religion and Politics in Comparative Perspective: The One, The Few, and The Many. Cambridge University Press. p. 253. ISBN 978-0-521-65031-1.
  5. DP Bhattacharya, ET Bureau (2014-08-04). "Communal skirmishes rising after Narendra Modi's departure from Gujarat - Economic Times". Articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com. Archived from the original on 7 August 2014. Retrieved 2014-08-14.
  6. Thomas Blom Hansen (1999). The Saffron Wave: Democracy and Hindu Nationalism in Modern India. Princeton University Press. ISBN 978-0195645743.
  7. "VHP's social service activities". The Hindu. 2011-12-18. Retrieved 2014-08-24.