“War far scarier than that of 1857” threatens Haridwar Dharam Sansad

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• Dec 29, 2021 | Deleted

Digital Desk: While the controversial statements and inflammatory speeches of Hindutva Saints during a Dharam Sansad at Haridwar last week have drawn international attention towards India, some of their other activities have gone unnoticed, such as imparting weapon training to adolescent boys and girls and raising an armed vigilant brigade.

Swami Anand Swaroop said during the Sansad: “If governments do not listen to our demand, we will wage a war far scarier than the revolt of 1857.” He is the head of Shankaracharya Parishad, formed in 2019 ― and also runs Kali Sena, a group of 11,000 armed vigilantes. “We keep shaastra-sammat shastra (weapons recognised by scripture), licensed weapons that can be used when the time arrives,” he stated to the Indian Cable, emphasizing the need to raise an army.

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Pandit Adhir Kaushik, who also participated in the Dharam Sansad, runs Akhand Parashuram Akhada in Haridwar. Its only purpose is to impart weapons training to kids. In videos of his Akhada, young boys and girls are trained to use swords, axes and spears. In some videos, girls fight with each other in competitions. “It strengthens the confidence of kids,” Kaushik told The India Cable, adding that “we need both shastra (weapons) and shaastra (scriptures).”

For several years, Kaushik has been working closely with Yati Narsinghanand Saraswati, convenor of the Sansad. Narsinghanand, known for his provocative hate speeches against Muslims, has emerged as the face of these Hindutva leaders. However, others are competing with him in the vitriolic speech against other religions.

Annapurna Bharti, alias Pooja Shakun, general secretary of the Hindu Mahasabha, also strongly defends the call to raise armed groups. “ If you want to finish them all, then kill them. We need 100 soldiers to kill 20 lakh of them to win this.” 

“We are preparing for self-defence to save our motherland, our Sanatana Dharma. Swami Vivekananda had also asked for 100 people. Is it an offence to inspire people to become soldiers?” she stated. Earlier, she was seen shooting at Mahatma Gandhi’s photograph.

“We will have to create an army to fight Islam,” says Darshan Bharti of Niranjani Akhada, underlining that this has been the tradition of Akhadas for the last 1,300 years.

The Dharam Sansad at Haridwar has been in the news since the very beginning. Hateful speeches, controversial statements have always remained in the limelight of the Sansad. Earlier, three persons have been booked in connection with hate speeches delivered against Muslims in the Sansad.