Latest news with #PraveenTogadia
Hans India
20-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Kerala: IUML slams Vellappally Natesan over communal remarks
Thiruvananthapuram: SNDP Yogam General Secretary Vellappally Natesan has stirred fresh controversy with a communally charged speech, prompting a sharp rebuttal from the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), which labelled him 'Kerala's Togadia' - a reference to Praveen Togadia, known for his inflammatory and anti-Muslim rhetoric. Speaking at a branch leadership convention of the SNDP in Kottayam on Saturday, Vellappally claimed that Kerala was on the path to becoming a Muslim-majority state. He accused both the ruling LDF and opposition UDF of pandering to the Muslim community and alleged that the state government needed the approval of Malappuram district for decisions as trivial as changes to school timings or the introduction of Zumba classes. He further twisted a decade-old remark by senior CPM leader V.S. Achuthanandan to support his claim. While Achuthanandan had, in 2012, warned that the now-banned Popular Front of India (PFI) aimed to Islamise Kerala through radical means, Vellappally quoted him out of context to suggest that even a former chief minister had predicted a Muslim-majority Kerala within decades. BJP national executive member Amit Malviya also shared a cropped version of Achuthanandan's comment on social media. This is not the first time Vellappally has drawn flak for his remarks about Malappuram. Two months ago, he described the district as functioning like a separate nation, dominated by a particular community, making it difficult for others to express their opinions freely. While IUML had downplayed his earlier comments, the party has taken strong exception this time. An editorial published in Chandrika, the party's mouthpiece, tore into Vellappally's rhetoric, stating, 'He spreads communal poison even more freely than Praveen Togadia. It seems there is a contest between him and the man from Poonjar (a reference to P.C. George) on who can be the worst communal voice in Kerala. The state police and government appear indifferent.' The editorial also criticised Vellappally's statement that while two wards were reduced in Alappuzha during delimitation, four were added in Malappuram. He accused the IUML of now eyeing the Chief Minister's post, having earlier demanded the Deputy Chief Minister's position. The IUML hit back strongly. 'Wasn't C.H. Mohammed Koya a Muslim Chief Minister? Who says a Muslim can't hold that post? These remarks clearly reflect majoritarian communal thinking,' the editorial concluded.
The Hindu
20-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Campaign launched to protect Hindus, says Pravin Togadia
Praveen Togadia, president of Antarashtriya Hindu Parishad, said on Friday that Hindu Suraksha Abhiyan has been launched across the country for the protection of the Hindu community. Speaking to reporters here, Mr. Togadia said the campaign revolves around four key issues for which they are drumming up support from the community members across the country. He said there should be a law to control population so that there was no demographic shift, and the Hindus remain in majority. For this to happen, every Hindu couple should have at least three children, failing which there was a threat of Hindus being reduced to a minority, Mr. Togadia said. He said infiltrators should be identified and deported. Mr. Togadia called for freeing Hindu temples from government control, and the issue will be taken up as part of the campaign. He said nearly one lakh Hanuman Chalisa Centres will be opened to network and unite Hindus. The centres will not only provide religious education to the Hindus but will teach them self-defence, provide legal services, ration for the poor, health services, etc.
The Hindu
18-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Praveen Togadia calls for nation-wide ban on beef exports
International Working President of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad Praveen Togadia has urged the Union government to impose a complete ban on beef exports as a measure to curb cow slaughter across the country. Addressing a press conference in Kalaburagi on Wednesday, Mr. Togadia said that cow slaughter remains widespread in several parts of India, including Gujarat, and called for uniform anti-cow slaughter legislation across all States. 'No matter who is involved in the beef export business — be it Hindus or others—, it must be banned. Cow slaughter is rampant even in States like Gujarat. There are many States, including Kerala and those in the North East, where no anti-cow slaughter laws exist. In States where such laws are in place, the situation is more controlled. If all States adopt similar laws, beef export will automatically come to an end,' he said. Commenting on Operation Sindoor, Mr. Togadia praised the Indian armed forces for the operation's execution but expressed dissatisfaction over what he termed a premature ceasefire. 'Operation Sindoor showcased the strength of our armed forces. Had the operation continued for a few more days, Pakistan would have been brought to its knees,' he remarked. On the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, Mr. Togadia acknowledged his four-decade-long campaign for the temple but clarified that he was not associated with its final construction. 'It is true that I fought for the Ram Mandir for over 40 years. I was part of the core team that finalised the temple's design four decades ago. However, I was not involved in the actual construction carried out,' he said. Defending his appeal for Hindu couples to have at least three children, Mr. Togadia warned of a demographic shift that can lead to Hindus becoming a minority in India. 'In 1947, Hindus made up 86% of the population. Today, it has declined to 78%. Meanwhile, the Muslim population has grown significantly from 6% to 15% in the same period. If the current trend continues, Hindus can become a minority in their own land. To reverse this trend, conscious efforts are needed,' he added. Mr. Togadia also expressed concern over what he described as the 'declining Hindu population' in neighbouring countries. 'In Pakistan, the Hindu population has fallen from 10% to 1% in the last 75 years. In Bangladesh, it has declined from 28% to 8%. Even in India, conversions are contributing to this decline. The population of Hindus is on the decline even in India. The solution lies in increasing awareness about Hinduism and ensuring access to education, healthcare and basic necessities for Hindus. If poverty among Hindus is eradicated, conversions will stop,' he said. When asked about his relationship with the Sangh Parivar following his departure from the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Mr. Togadia said that he continues to maintain cordial ties with all pro-Hindutva organisations, including the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). 'We work with all Hindutva organisations and individuals. We do not oppose them. My relationship with the RSS and others remains good,' he said.
The Hindu
16-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
India was always a Hindu rashtra, what we want is....: VHP chief Praveen Togadia
Clarifying that India is already a 'Hindu Rashtra' and there was no need to make it so, founder-international president of Vishwa Hindu Parishad Dr. Praveen Togadia said the quest of for a 'Hindu Rashtra' where food, education and healthcare is available to all. Addressing a press conference in Hubballi on June 16, Dr. Togadia clarified that, for the last four decades, he had been working for Hindu polity, and not politics. 'Let me make it clear. I have always been trying to influence Hindu polity in India. Our objective has been to mobilise people's mandate to influence the government for the welfare and safey of Hindus, and will continue to work towards the same,' he said. Recalling his college days, he said that when he was pursuing medical education, the fee was just ₹25. 'But now, one has to pay crores of rupees for medical education. That's why we want a 'Hindu Rashtra' where food, education and healthcare is available to all children. There should be a system which will ensure employment, both while studying and after education,' he said. No threat to life Replying to a query, Mr. Togadia said there is no threat to his life, and that he is safe because of the blessings of Hindus. 'In fact, there was no life threat, or problem during the Congress regime either. Even now, there is no threat,' he said. 'Hindus must have three children' Referring to the decrease in fertility ratio, Mr. Togadia pointed out that the fertility ratio of Hindus was delcining and had been reduced to 1.7, which is a matter of concern. 'Our slogan is 'teen bacche, Hindu sacche' (three children, true Hindu). We will honour parents having three children. If poor people have three children, we will pay their school fees. We are financially strong to pay the fees of one lakh poor children,' he said. Cases against Hindutva activists On cases being filed against 'Hindutva activists', Dr. Togadia said that it was not just in Congress-ruled States, but even elsewhere cases were being filed against Hindutva activists. If fake cases are being filed agains them, VHP would fight against it. 'We will fight for the safety of Hindus,' he said. On Operation Sindoor, he said that while it was good that the armed forces had gone into Pakistan to destroy terror bases, the people of the nation would have been more happy if there were more casualties on the enemy side. India progressing since 1947; it's nation, not individual Dr. Togadia has said that India had been marching ahead in terms of development ever since 1947, and had achieved great milestones in various fields. Dr. Togadia said, 'India itself is great. It is not right to say that political parties have made it great. Here, individual is not important, but the country is.' However, he pointed out, there is also an India with lakhs of starving people, and where lakhs are unable to pay their children's school fees. 'We have to take along both the Indias,' he said.
United News of India
16-06-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
Togadia in Hubballi city to attend Hindu Sabha
Hubballi, June 16 (UNI) International Hindu Parishad founder Dr Praveen Togadia arrived at Hubballi airport on Monday to attend a meeting on religious affairs in the city. He was accorded a warm welcome by activists of various Hindu organisations. The meeting, organised to deliberate on issues concerning Hindu unity and ideology, is expected to witness participation from regional leaders and socio-religious groups. UNI BDN PRS
