With VHP convention, Hindutva forces set sights on Andhra

The Sangh Parivar's interest in Andhra Pradesh was evident when the VHP organised a mega meeting on Sunday, in a scale never seen before in the state.

Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh could be Hindutva’s new testing ground in the south, as the Sangh Parivar seems to have fixed its gaze on the state that has till now resisted the temptations of the extreme Right.

The VHP’s massive ‘Haindhava Sankharavam’ convention held in Vijayawada on Sunday drew more than three lakh people. The convention’s stated purpose was to free Hindu temples from government control but political observers felt it could be seen as a launchpad for the Sangh’s activities to take off.

It is the latest hint of the shifting political terrain in the state following the Tirupati laddu controversy, which saw Jana Sena chief and BJP ally Pawan Kalyan flirting with Hindutva and trying to emerge as its new southern mascot.

This churn could have repercussions for the ruling TDP, which is preparing to transition from an ageing N Chandrababu Naidu to his son Nara Lokesh, and the Opposition YSRCP, which is trying to find its feet after an epic drubbing in the Assembly polls.

The BJP’s game-plan seems to be to use the charismatic Pawan Kalyan, who is getting good at theatrics, to consolidate Hindu votes by wooing voters from the YSRCP and the TDP.

Political observers DH spoke believe there is a definite political agenda behind the VHP’s convention.

The political landscape of the state has been witnessing a shift towards the Right in recent years, especially after the YSRCP came to power in 2019. Several high-profile incidents, involving alleged targeted attacks on Hindu places of worship under the YSRCP regime, have highlighted this shift, starting with the mysterious burning of a decades-old chariot in East Godavari district in Sept 2020.

Attacking the YSRCP regime over temple incidents, the then Opposition leader Naidu often pointed fingers at YSRCP chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s faith (Jagan is a Christian).

The recent allegation that adulterated ghee was used in the preparation of the famous Tirupati laddus during the reign of Jagan has only raise the political temperature.

“I was a bit amused when the VHP announced that a massive meeting would take place in Vijayawada, demanding the liberation of Hindu temples from government control,” noted political commentator Prof DAR Subramanyam told DH.

“The reason for my amusement stems from the fact that the BJP currently controls the central government, and the party is also a part of the NDA government in Andhra Pradesh. With just one ordinance, they can remove government control over Hindu temples.” Subramanyam noted that BJP leaders such as the state party chief and MP Daggubati Purandeswari and minister Satyakumar Yadav also attended the VHP meeting.

“Instead of holding such a big meeting using all the resources, they can start removing control of the government on Hindu temples from Andhra Pradesh. Why such a big meeting? This clearly indicates that Sunday’s mega meeting is driven by a political agenda,” he said.

Prof Subramanyam said the TDP may face a crisis in the coming years due to the ageing Naidu and the YSRCP, he felt, had little chance of revival. The big winner amid all this could be the BJP, which can cash in on the political void with Pawan Kalyan’s assistance. Another political analyst observed that YSRCP and TDP could face an existential crisis if the BJP consolidates its Hindutva base in the state.

“If the BJP can project a strong and viable alternative leadership in the state and promote directly or indirectly such programmes, we should not be surprised if the majority of those who pray to Hindu gods in the state turn towards the saffron party,” said the analyst.

“Only Muslim and Christian minorities will continue to support the YSRCP and the TDP. What if, irrespective of caste, every Hindu turns to the BJP? I am not saying this will happen overnight. It’s a long-shot scenario,” said the analyst.

Retired IPS officer and former CBI Director M Nageswar Rao too critical about VHP’s meeting in Andhra on last Sunday. “VHP recently organized a massive gathering called "Hindu Shankharavam" near Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, where a large number of Hindu religious leaders and others demanded that temples be freed from government control. This raises several questions for the Hindu community, Sangh Parivar leaders, and the Hindu religious leaders who participated in the event. Why did the Sangh Parivar choose to hold this event in Andhra Pradesh?’” Asked Nageswar Rao.

In a tweet he said Sangh Parivar, which includes BJP has been in power in several states for many years. It's surprising that they didn't organize this event in a state where the BJP is in power, either alone or as part of a coalition, he said.

“Why hasn't the Sangh Parivar freed temples from government control in states where they are in power? Despite being in power in several states for many years, the Sangh Parivar has failed to free temples from government control. In fact, in states like Uttarakhand, Karnataka, and Maharashtra, where the BJP is in power, more temples have been brought under government control. This raises questions about the Sangh Parivar's commitment to freeing temples from government control,” the retired IPS officer further said.