Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 27 May: BJP state president Mahendra Bhatt today strongly condemned the hearing held by the so-called United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, describing it as an unfortunate attempt to target the strongest voices of Hindutva from a foreign platform. He said that whenever India speaks of its culture, religion and civilisation, some people across the seas feel disturbed, which is regrettable.
Bhatt stated that during the hearing in America, attempts are being made to corner three chief ministers who have consistently spoken in favour of Hindu culture, Sanatan tradition and national interest. He pointed out that activist Raqib Ahmad Naik went so far as to demand restrictions on Pushkar Singh Dhami, Yogi Adityanath and Himanta Biswa Sarma, while also targeting organisations like RSS, Bajrang Dal and VHP. He questioned why the defence of one’s own land, temples and identity should be seen as a crime by some elements and whether the discomfort lies in the fact that the Hindu society is now openly asserting its rights and identity.
He also stated that Dhami in Uttarakhand has taken a firm stand on issues such as the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), illegal encroachments and religious conversions, while Yogi Adityanath in Uttar Pradesh has acted against mafia and extremism, instilling fear of the law. In Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma has consistently raised concerns over infiltration and demographic imbalance, he stated. Bhatt asserted that any attempt to target the voice of Hindutva will be met with a strong response.
Bhatt observed that it is unfortunate that those who fail to win the trust of the people in India’s democratic system resort to tarnishing the country’s image abroad, creating an impression that defending one’s culture and religion is an offence. He added that the real target is not merely three chief ministers but the ideology that connects India to its roots, culture and civilisation. He said that the day India stands united to protect its Sanatan tradition, those who have always been troubled by India’s cultural foundations feel the greatest unease.
