New Delhi: The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Thursday welcomed Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) manifesto for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
VHP Secretary-General Milind Parande told a press conference that the manifesto, released by Union ministers Nitin Gadkari and VK Singh in Chennai, contains ethical identity for the people of Tamil Nadu.
"As interference in the operation of temples or the management of its wealth is not the work of any government, deception, temptation or forced conversion is also an inhuman misdeed. Right to freedom of religion is not the same as forcible religious conversion," Parande said.
"Apart from Tamil Nadu, there is deep anger in Hindu society due to government intervention in many states including Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. From time to time, there have been cases of misuse of temple property by state governments, infiltration of management of temples by corrupt bureaucrats and politicians. Due to the acquisition and mismanagement of temples, Hindu society has been deprived of constitutional religious freedom and the right to worship for decades. Therefore, all the state governments will have to bring laws against the liberation and conversion of temples," Parande added.
It is pertinent to be mentioned in its manifesto that BJP on March 22 promised to enact a “strict anti-conversion law” and an anti-cow slaughter law in its manifesto for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. The party also promised to create 50 lakh employment opportunities.
Notably, as part of its alliance with the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, the BJP is fielding candidates on 20 seats in Tamil Nadu. The elections will be held in a single phase on April 6 and results will be announced on May 2.
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