After the political independence of the country, the increasing injustices on Hindu society in the name of secularism and appeasement of Christians and Muslims led to the presentation of the Niyogi Commission Report in 1957. Despite the revelation of the truth about religious conversions of Hindus through deceit, greed, and fraud by Christian missionaries, the then central government clearly refused to enact a central law against conversions. Meanwhile, the Hindu society living abroad was looking towards India for solutions to its various problems, but the central government’s indifferent attitude only led to further disappointment. In this context, to organize Hindu society, protect dharma, and preserve Hindu religious, social, and cultural values, the World Hindu Council (VHP) was established sixty years ago on Janmashtami (August 29, 1964, as per the Gregorian calendar).
On this auspicious occasion of Krishna Janmashtami, a meeting was held at the Sandeepani Sadhanalaya Ashram in Powai, Mumbai, with esteemed figures including Swami Chinmayananda, revered Sant Tukadoji Maharaj, Master Tara Singh from the Sikh community, revered Sushil Muni from the Jain community, Hanuman Prasad Poddar from Gita Press Gorakhpur, K. M. Munshi, and other dignitaries.
In this meeting, three main objectives of the VHP were determined: 1. To organize and awaken Hindu society, 2. To protect and promote its rights, values, and life principles, and 3. To establish contact with Hindus abroad and assist them in strengthening and supporting them.
The definition of a Hindu was stated as, “A person who has faith in the life values developed in India or who identifies as Hindu is a Hindu.”
The first World Hindu Conference was held in Prayag from January 22 to 24, 1966, with the participation of 25,000 delegates from 12 countries. For the first time, major Shankaracharyas, along with 300 prominent saints, came together to resolve to prevent conversions and promote reconversions (ghar wapsi). Maharaja Chamraj Wadiyar of Mysore was declared the first president, and Dadasaheb Apte was appointed as the first General Secretary, and the VHP’s executive committee was formed. This conference also saw the adoption of the VHP’s motto “Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitah” and its symbol “Akshaya Vatavriksha.”
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar had opined that if the country’s saints collectively declared that there was no place for untouchability in Hindu scriptures, this curse could be eradicated. Keeping this in mind, during the Udupi Dharma Sansad on December 13-14, 1969, prominent saints of India, through the special efforts of the then RSS chief Shri Guruji, passed a historic resolution for social harmony with the declaration “Hindavah Sodara Sarve, Na Hindu Patito Bhavet.”
In the 1994 Dharma Sansad in Kashi, the invitation to the Dom Raja was personally extended by saints, who not only accepted the offerings at his home but also welcomed him with garlands at the conference. This Dharma Sansad saw 3,500 saints in attendance. Thousands of people from tribal, backward, and very backward communities have been trained as village priests and have been honored and appointed as priests in temples, thanks to the VHP’s village priest training campaign.
On November 9, 1989, the laying of the foundation stone of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi by a scheduled caste worker, Kameshwar Choupal, and various programs like Samarasata Yajnas, Samarasata Yatras, Samarasata Goshtis, Hindu Family Friend Plans, and hostels for scheduled castes and tribes have made significant efforts to eradicate untouchability within Hindu society. Since 2003, the anniversaries of great personalities such as Valmiki, Sant Ravidas, and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, who contributed to social harmony, have been widely celebrated. As a result, the saint community now freely conducts tours, sermons, and communal meals in marginalized settlements.
The second World Hindu Conference was held in Prayag from January 27 to 29, 1979, with the participation of 60,000 delegates from 18 countries. The conference was inaugurated by the revered Dalai Lama and was a historic occasion.
In Assam’s Jorhat, from March 27 to 29, 1970, the conference saw participants from all major pilgrimage sites and 45 rivers, where many revered saints and thinkers from the Northeast, including Nagarani Gaidinglu, declared that the nature-worshipping tribal society, which Christian missionaries were trying to trap, is an integral part of Hindu society.
In 1982, Ashok Singhal became an office-bearer of VHP, leading to widespread public awakening. The Ekta Yatra in 1983 saw participation from 60 million people. The first Dharma Sansad in New Delhi was held in April 1984.
With the help of societal cooperation, VHP operates over 4,500 service projects across the country. These include 840 संस्कार (Sanskar) schools in 31 states, serving 17,000 children. Other prominent projects include primary health centers, self-employment centers, residential hostels, orphanages, medical centers, computer, tailoring, and embroidery training centers, and marriage centers.
In the fields of cow protection, maintenance, and enhancement, VHP has undertaken numerous initiatives, including the development of native cow breeds at 60 locations, production centers for Panchgavya-based medicines at 40 locations, and three Panchgavya research centers. Efforts include freeing 2.5 million cows from slaughter, establishing stringent laws against cow slaughter in several states, and promoting self-reliance through cow rearing, including income generation plans and loans.
VHP has also made significant efforts to curb illegal conversions and reconnect converted Hindus with their roots. Around 4 million conversions have been stopped, and approximately 900,000 reconversions have occurred. Strict laws against forced conversions in various states and protection of women from Love Jihad conspiracies are among VHP’s significant contributions.
India is a land of pilgrimages where the soul resides in its holy places. VHP’s Dharma Yatra Mahasangh has played a crucial role in organizing pilgrimages such as the Kanwar Yatra, Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, Amarnath Yatra, Govardhan Parikrama, Jagannath’s Nav Kalevar Yatra, Ram-Janaki Vivah Baraat Yatra, and Baba Amarnath’s Yatra since 1995. It has worked to make these journeys economical, successful, and spiritually enriching while liaising with authorities and reviving many dormant pilgrimages.
With the concept of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,’ VHP has taken various steps to ensure the safety, cultural preservation, and continuity of Hindu life values for Hindus living abroad. VHP has successfully organized local and global conferences in countries like the USA, UK, Australia, Canada, Fiji, New Zealand, Denmark, Thailand, Indonesia, Taiwan, Sri Lanka, Netherlands, Singapore, Nepal, Germany, and others. In many of these countries, Hindu festivals and traditions are celebrated with great fervor.
Throughout its 60-year journey, VHP has conducted numerous awareness campaigns that have set global records. The Ram Janmabhoomi movement, started in 1984, united 650 million people from millions of villages, raising the voice from streets to the Supreme Court. After 496 years of struggle, the consecration of Ram Lalla on January 22, 2024, in Ayodhya marked this historic day in golden letters.
In 1995, when terrorists threatened to halt the Amarnath Yatra, a massive rally of 51,000 Bajrang Dal activists and 100,000 other Shiva devotees ensured that the pilgrimage continued unimpeded. The re-initiation of the Baba Budha Amarnath Yatra by Bajrang Dal in 2005 halted the exodus of Hindus and boosted the confidence of the community and security forces. Other significant pilgrimages like the Nallahad Mahadev Yatra in Mewat, Dattapith Yatra in Karnataka, and the Ram-Janaki Baraat Yatra from Ayodhya to Janakpur have also fostered social harmony and unity.
To protect the Ram Setu, built by Nala and Neela on Lord Ram’s orders, from government attacks, VHP led a major public movement. When the then central government denied Ram’s existence in the Supreme Court, VHP’s nationwide blockade within just four hours compelled the government to yield on the same day. The massive turnout of Ram devotees at Delhi’s Swarn Jayanthi Park left the government’s stubborn stance unyielding.
VHP’s youth wing, Bajrang Dal, and Durga Vahini have been at the forefront of protecting the country, religion, culture, and nation since 1984. Service, security, and values have been their core mantras. VHP has also taken significant steps in promoting Sanskrit language, Vedic education, and values.
Despite these achievements, challenges such as conversions, Love Jihad, social harmony, protection of religious sites from security threats and government acquisition, cultural erosion, lack of religious education, foreign infiltration, and demographic imbalances remain. Addressing these challenges to ensure liberation and advancement for Hindu society is crucial.
The author is National Spokesperson, VHP.