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Friday, January 9, 2026
TopicVHP

Topic: VHP

‘In census, all should write their religion as Hindu’—VHP president’s appeal

Alok Kumar claimed there was a campaign asking certain sections like Lingayats, SCs and STs to not identify themselves as Hindus. In 2011, 82 faiths identified themselves as 'Other'.

Telangana SI can’t wear civil dress for Deeksha, BJP asks ‘is police taking orders from AIMIM?’

Hyderabad SI sought dress code exemption to observe Ayyappa Deeksha. The police department denied permission. BJP has demanded revocation of ‘this biased directive’.

Pilibhit ADM transferred after filing case against local VHP functionary, day after he got bail

Transfer came after high drama as VHP functionaries took on local administration over arrest of regional in-charge Prince Gaur, for allegedly threatening ADM Ritu Punia.

Muslims at garba—whenever a festival becomes exclusionary, we lose a piece of India

Conservative clerics warned Muslims against garba as impermissible; now Hindu right-wing groups call their presence provocative—different reasons, same outcome.

Maharashtra BJP backs VHP’s ‘only Hindus at garba’ diktat— ‘why take part when you don’t do idol worship’

Maharashtra BJP spokesperson says Quran strictly prohibits idol worship. ‘So for such people participating in garba is an insult to their own faith’.  

VHP objects to Poonam Pandey playing Ravan’s wife in Delhi Ramlila—‘Mandodari represents virtue, dignity’

Organisers refuse to back down after picking actor who promised to strip if India won 2011 World Cup. Arya Babbar to play Ravan, BJP MP Manoj Tiwari will play Parashuram.

VHP, Bajrang Dal’s Garba action plan—women helpline to report harassment, prevent ‘love jihad’ 

In Surat, Bajrang Dal asked organisers to ensure those performing are not scantily clad. It said those attending should also refrain from wearing ‘backless’, ‘deep neck’ outfits.

‘Evil attempt’ to malign Hindus rejected: RSS, VHP welcome 2008 Malegaon blast verdict

RSS’s Sunil Ambekar says bid to link entire Hindu community with terrorism stands rejected; VHP’s Surendra Jain adds, ‘false story of saffron terrorism Congress created has been exposed’.

Miss World to proceed in Hyderabad without ‘over the top’ celebrations amid VHP’s continued objections

Amid India-Pakistan tensions and subsequent ceasefire violations, BRS & VHP have called for the pageant to be postponed or cancelled.

India a sufferer, don’t sermonise us, VHP chief tells nations urging restraint after Pahalgam attack

In interview with ThePrint, VHP chief Alok Kumar says ‘Pakistan should be ready to face consequences for its misdeeds’; adds India will retaliate in full measure at the right time.

On Camera

Why Pinarayi Vijayan is going soft on an Ezhava leader’s anti-Muslim hate speech

Pinarayi Vijayan once called Vellappally Natesan, the general secretary of SNDP Yogam, Kerala’s Pravin Togadia. Now he is giving his hate speech a free pass.

500% tariffs ahead for India? Trump’s lined up a big bad Bill for countries buying Russian oil

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham says bill will be 'well-timed, as Ukraine is making concessions for peace and Putin is all talk, continuing to kill the innocent'.

2025: Pakistan’s deadliest year in over a decade

Islamabad-based think-tank PICSS's new report says Pakistan saw 'pronounced escalation' in violence last year, with 3,413 conflict-related deaths compared to 1,950 in previous year.

A year-end Mea Culpa in National Interest—The Army-Islam combo doesn’t kill democracy

Many of you might think I got something so wrong in National Interest pieces written this year. I might disagree! But some deserve a Mea Culpa. I’d deal with the most recent this week.