New Delhi: The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Monday alleged a rising pattern of attacks on Hindu festivals and religious processions across the country and warned that such incidents should not force the Hindu community to “respond in the same manner”.
Addressing a press conference in Delhi, VHP Central Joint General Secretary Surendra Jain said the organisation had compiled and released a list of incidents of alleged attacks during Hindu festivals and processions over the past decade.
Jain claimed that during this year’s Holi celebrations alone there were more than 11 incidents of attacks across the country. He further alleged that more than 42 complaints related to violence during Holi celebrations had been recorded over the past ten years. According to the VHP leader, more than 240 violent incidents linked to Hindu festivals and religious processions had occurred across the country in the last decade, including cases where people were allegedly surrounded and killed.
Jain also alleged that in several such incidents attackers place women and minors at the forefront in order to avoid legal consequences.
Referring to the recent killing of Tarun Khatik during Holi celebrations in Delhi’s Uttam Nagar, Jain described the incident as a “mob lynching” and said it reflected rising anger within the community. The killing had triggered protests and tension in the locality, and authorities later demolished the house of an accused in the case citing illegal construction.
According to Jain, the incident began when a water balloon thrown during Holi celebrations allegedly fell on a woman passing through the lane, following which members of her family and others attacked the victim’s family. He alleged that Tarun Khatik was assaulted by a group of around 25–30 people, leading to his death.
The VHP leader criticised political leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, for allegedly remaining silent on the killing and said several victims in such incidents belonged to Scheduled Caste communities. He questioned why those claiming to represent such communities had not spoken out on the matter. The organisation also warned leaders such as Asaduddin Owaisi and Arshad Madani against what it described as provocative statements.
While welcoming police action against some of the accused in the Uttam Nagar case, the VHP said action was still pending against several others, including the alleged main conspirator.
The organisation demanded strict punishment for all those involved in the killing so that such incidents do not recur. It also called for action against religious leaders accused of inciting violence and demanded a ban on Madrasas, alleging that they promote extremism. It further demanded that the governments of Delhi and other states constitute investigation commissions to examine what it described as increasing violence and hatred against Hindus and the reasons why perpetrators escape punishment in many cases.
Jain said the organisation was committed to protecting Hindu society and would take “all constitutionally permissible steps” to achieve this goal.
