The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has scheduled a meeting with its leaders and prominent sadhus at its Kumbh camp on January 24 to deliberate on issues such as the “Kashi and Mathura” temple-mosque disputes. Senior monks clarified that this refers to their demand for the transfer of the Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi and the Shahi Idgah in Mathura to Hindu ownership.
This agenda appears to challenge a recent caution issued by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat, who heads the Sangh Parivar, of which the VHP is a part. Bhagwat had warned against repeating the Ayodhya movement by attempting to locate a “Shivalinga” in every mosque, urging restraint to maintain social harmony.
“Kashi and Mathura have been our commitment since 1984. Achieving this goal remains a priority for us, and we will discuss it during the meeting,” VHP president Alok Kumar said on Tuesday at the Kumbh. He added that “concrete steps” would be taken but did not provide details. Kumar also mentioned that VHP members are actively engaging with Sadhus and inviting them to attend the January 24 meeting to address issues concerning the Hindu community.
Sadhu Prakashanand Maharaj, Mahamandaleshwar of the Panchdashnam Avahan Akhara in Varanasi, was more explicit. “Our agenda is clear. We want the Gyanvapi Mosque to become the Gyanvapi Mandir as soon as possible. Similarly, we aim to reclaim the Shahi Idgah in Mathura,” he said. He further claimed, “The Mughals destroyed numerous temples to build mosques. We have identified 42,000 such structures.”
In recent years, several petitions have been filed, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, seeking the handover of Muslim religious sites to Hindus because they were built after demolishing Hindu temples. Last month, Mohan Bhagwat expressed concern over these developments, emphasizing the need for social harmony. He reportedly directed his remarks at the Yogi Adityanath government, cautioning against fostering religious discord.
Adityanath, however, has appeared supportive of efforts to “reclaim” temples. His administration has faced criticism for its involvement, particularly after a survey of a mosque in Sambhal, conducted to investigate whether it was built on a demolished temple, sparked violence and resulted in four deaths. A BJP insider remarked, “Religious polarization seems to be Adityanath’s strategy for the 2027 Assembly elections, which he sees as a stepping stone to the Prime Minister’s chair after Narendra Modi.”
Dewakinandan Thakur, a Mathura-based preacher, expressed his approval of the VHP’s initiative. “Sanatan Hindus are ready to perform kar seva on the same day in Mathura and Kashi,” he said. Ravindra Puri, head of the All India Akhara Parishad, echoed this sentiment, declaring support for the VHP’s agenda. He also revealed plans for another meeting on January 27, where Sadhus would demand either the establishment of a “Sanatan Board” similar to the Waqf Board or the abolition of the latter. Additionally, they aim to push for cows to be declared “Rashtramata” (Mother of the Nation).
On the other hand, Mumtaz Alam Rizvi, an expert on Muslim issues, criticized the VHP’s actions, accusing them of disregarding constitutional values. “They didn’t wait for the court’s verdict before demolishing the Babri Masjid in 1992. Now, they are defying the Places of Worship Act, 1991, and disrespecting the law by targeting other Islamic sites,” Rizvi said.
