Bajrang Dal wakes up, seeks new recruits

Bajrang Dal, the sister organisation of Vishwa Hindu Parishad's (VHP), is on an expansion spree. The organisation for youths has launched state-wide recruitment campaign from Ahmedabad and has added 11,000 members in last couple of months. 

The saffron organisation was inactive and remained away from active campaigning after human rights group and secular groups alleged that the organisation played an active role in 2002 communal riots in the state.

However, it is going to organise a grand show, giving Trishul Diksha, to its new cadres at Ghodasar on January 1. The unit will also felicitate Dr Pravin Togadia, who was recently appointed as the international working president of the VHP.

Earlier, he was the international general secretary of the saffron body. Over 25,000 people are expected to take part in the programme.

Trishul Diksha is the ceremony where new cadres take oath to work for the organisation and they are given trishul and saffron scarf by the leaders. The occasion will be marked by the presence of large number of saints and preachers. 

"We have started recruitment drive for youths from across the state for serving people and to protect principles of the Hindu religion," said Amrutji Thakor, Bajrang Dal's state chief.   

Replying to a question as to why the organisation was inactive after the riots, Thakor said, "We were not inactive. We mainly participate in drives like Ram Temple and other agitations apart from conversion of Hindu girls. We recently fought against illegal cow slaughter after the Maldharis took the issue to the state government." He further said, "We started youth recruitment drive three years back and at present, have a cadre of 5 lakh youths in the state. We are also continuing our social activities." 

According to sources, the Dal remained inactive in the politics owing to VHP's strained relations with chief minister Narendra Modi after he came to power.  Sources said that VHP has many reasons to stay away from Modi government. They even didn't take part in the Sadbhavna Mission organised by Modi. "VHP and its sister organisations don't take part in BJP activities as it had bitter experience of divide and rule policy," said a source familiar to the saffron brigade. 

VHP and Bajrang Dal activists are facing allegations of being actively involved in the Naroda Patiya and Naroda Gam riots of 2002. Few activists, including Babu Bajarangi, are also accused in the both the cases.  The VHP had issued a Gujarat Bandh call on February 28, 2002, a day after the Sabarmati Express train carnage in which 59 Karsevaks were charred to death by mob at the Godhra railway station.