By Avijit Biswas
Bhagalpur: Union minister Giriraj Singh said here today rapid demographic changes in country is threat to existence of Hindu population. Singh who arrived here this evening for participating in Hindu Swabhiman Yatra scheduled to start tomorrow from local Zila School ground was addressing a press meet convened to brief about objectives of yatra.
The minister said sole objective of the yatra that would go up to Kishanganj covering Katihar, Purnia and Araria districts is uniting Hindus and making them aware about threat to their existence. To substantiate his point rapid demographic changes was serious threat to Hindu existence he said at 1600 places in 400 districts of country Muslim population has surpassed population of Hindus.
Categorically stating it is not a BJP sponsored yatra Singh said “we are inviting all Hindus affiliated to different political parties including RJD, JD (U), BJP and also left parties apart from general Hindu population for participating in the Yatra.”
Claiming Hindus are not religiously intolerant and never indulge in pelting stones on religious procession of other communities he said on the other hand Hindu religious processions are being targeted at places by religiously intolerant people.
Referring to recent developments in neighbouring country Bangaldesh and incidents at places within the country the minister said unity among Hindus raising above caste consideration is essential for countering threat to existence of the community.
He asked people having faith in ideology of Baba Saheb Ambedkar to read him thoroughly to know his views regarding partition of country. Singh said “Baba Saheb was in favour of total exchange of population between both the countries and he was of the opinion that country would never be safe and there cannot be social harmony without total exchange of population.”
Answering his political opponents who had been saying as union minister it is not proper for him to participate and promote Hindu Swabhiman Yatra he said alleging “ if Tejashwi Yadav being leader of opposition in state assembly can undertake yatras to unite Muslims then why he cannot undertake yatra to unite Hindus for protecting themselves from threat to their existence”.
Swami Dipankar Maharaj ji who had been undertaking yatras for uniting Hindus in western UP since last two years have agreed to lead Hindu Swabhiman Yatra and would be with him in course of entire Yatra, minister added.
Meanwhile Hindu Swabhiman Yatra of union minister has drawn criticism from number of political parties of the opinion that Yatra is nothing but a ploy to ensure electoral gains through polarization on communal lines. The Yatra after starting from Zila School ground will pass through city before beginning onward journey. As per information law and order arrangements have been tightened for the Yatra in districts falling in its route.
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- Writer Avijit Biswas, former principal correspondent of Hindustan Times Bhagalpur bureau, can be contacted at biswasavijit@yahoo.comContact number (mobile): +919431095516
