New Delhi, Oct 17 The VHP on Saturday alleged a conspiracy to disrupt businesses, deprive labourers of daily wages and snatch livelihoods of street vendors, auto drivers and other workers, under the garb of protests against the Election Commission in the capital.
The RSS-affiliate said the protesters are fighting one entity but are targeting others, claiming that the demonstrations are affecting traders and workers during the festive season.
The remarks came amid protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in central Delhi over the past week, including the Cockroach Janta Party’s ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ programme at Central Park in Connaught Place on Friday.
In a post on X, Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) national spokesperson Vinod Bansal alleged that “sinister” attempts are being made in the capital to impose an “undeclared” ban on Hindu festivals.
“Under the pretext of so-called protests and demonstrations, new conspiracies are being hatched to disrupt traders’ businesses, deprive labourers of their daily wages, and snatch the livelihoods of street vendors, auto drivers and workers engaged in small and medium-scale occupations,” he said.
Bansal said festivals hold a special place in Indian culture and contribute to religious, social, cultural, spiritual and economic prosperity while promoting harmony, brotherhood and love.
However, he alleged that Hindu festivals have repeatedly fallen victim to “intellectual pollution”, commercial interests and foreign forces.
He said the livelihoods of Hindu and other traders, along with the joy of celebrating festivals, are being snatched away.
Referring to Connaught Place and other commercial areas, including Karol Bagh and Sadar Bazar, Bansal said they serve as a major commercial hub for traders and buyers nationwide.
Markets that used to be packed at this time of the year are now deserted, despite investments worth crores, he claimed.
“Sinister attempts are being made to hold this entire area hostage day after day, thereby striking a blow to the country’s economy. In the name of their fight against the Election Commission, the government, administration, security forces and even the Supreme Court are being targeted,” he said.
Questioning the timing of the demonstrations, Bansal asked why such protests do not take place during Muharram, Eid, Christmas or other non-Hindu festivals. He alleged that “anti-Hindu elements” become active whenever Hindu festivals approach.
“This trend must stop now,” he said, adding that political parties must understand that their interests cannot remain secure for long by suppressing the people.
(PTI News)
