RSS prepares ground for saffronization of Jammu
‘VHP gives arms training in educational institutes, Shakhas being organized in JU’
Jammu has become a breeding ground for Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and other rightwing organizations with Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) providing arms training to the youth, including women, in educational institutions and organizing ‘shakhas’ in the campus of University of Jammu with no restriction from the administration.
Such activities have increased sense of insecurity among the minority community.
Recently, the government allowed ‘dangal’ on a Muslim graveyard even as it had assured that such activities would not be allowed on the Aquaf Islamia’s land in Bagh Jogian village of Bishnah.
Under the shadow of self-defense, training is imparted to the women in a school Diwan Badri Nath High School in Talab Tillo.
As per its statement, VHP provided training to at least 78 women belonging to various districts of Jammu division including Rajouri, Poonch, Sunderbani and other areas.
In this week-long programme, which started from July 1 and concluded today, VHP provided arms training (rifle shooting), use of baton (lath bazi), martial arts etc to the young girls in the school premises.
Few weeks back, similar function was organized in Akhnoor, where young boys were imparted arms training and it was given due publicity to attract more youth to join RSS.
Interestingly, Jammu University where students from all the districts come for studies, RSS has started its ‘shakha’ during evening hours near Boys Hostel’s ground.
“These activities have increased silently in the campus. We don’t know why the administration has kept mum. Not only students, but people from outside came in the evening to participate in the shakas,” said a student, wishing anonymity.
Pursing his Post Graduation course in JU, the youth hailing from Poonch said they have lived in peace and unity with other community. “I have never seen such ‘shakhas’ in any other educational institution which I feel create wedge among the communities. The authorities should not allow such activities within the premises,” said Mohammed Rizwan (name changed).
One of the active student leaders in the University of Jammu, wishing anonymity, said he was shocked to see the administration turning blind eye to such activities.
“We don’t support such activities even as I belong to majority community. Such things have started soon after the formation of coalition government with BJP in Jammu and Kashmir. So we have lost our voice,” said the former student of the campus.
“The university administration, from top to bottom, is silent even as they know about it. They have permitted them (RSS) to organize the shakhas. No one dares to question such activities fearing the threat posed by Sangh Parivar.”
“Once we had approached the administration with a complaint about the shakhas. They did nothing and instead claimed that no shakhas are being organized here. It was a lie,” he recalled.
“Everyone who passes though the Gymnasium Ground in the evening hours knows what is going on there and who are these people?”
Dean Students Welfare, Jammu University, Pankaj Shrivastav, told : “Earlier too, we had a complaint about shakhas being organized in Jammu University. We had checked it but the complaint was not true. On resuming duty, I will again get it checked again.”
Director Physical Education, University of Jammu, Dhain Singh Bhau said: “I have never seen it. We have permitted only yoga classes and no shakhas are being organized in the university.”
“We don’t have any information about shakhas being organized in the University of Jammu. I will collect factual report and then, reply you back,” PRO Jammu University, Vinay Thussu, told .
Repeated calls were made to Vice Chancellor of Jammu University, Prof RD Sharma and Registrar, University of Jammu, Keshav Sharma for their statements but they were not available.
Similarly, Deputy Commissioner, Jammu, Simrandeep Singh and Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Pawan Kotwal did not respond to repeated calls.
RSS LEADERS TO VISIT JAMMU
Senior RSS functionaries including Krishna Gopal, who is coordinating between RSS and BJP in India, Suresh Joshi also known as Bhaiyyaji Joshi, and Dattatreya Hosable, are scheduled to visit Jammu.
Sources said these RSS leaders would hold meetings with BJP Ministers and RSS leaders of the State to review the programmes being organized by the Sangh Parivar in Jammu division especially.
Though these leaders would also review the progress of the Government in Jammu and Kashmir, sources said, they would hold meetings to know about the activities of the RSS and other saffron organisations. These RSS leaders would visit Jammu from July 14 to July 16. During their stay, sources said, they would hold series of closed door meetings.
“RSS has attracted thousands of youths who have joined the organisation especially in Jammu division. We are not only providing sense of security to the samaj (community) but are active in many social activities. People are impressed with the work of the sangh Parihar,” a senior saffron leader told .
He informed that RSS had adopted some flood-hit areas of Jammu and its progress would also be reviewed.
