VHP fumes over Rahul?s Hindu bigotry remark

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi branding Hindu organizations to those dealing with ?saffron terrorism? has upset Hindu-outfit Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), who claimed it as a ?vote bank? tactic by political parties.

?The whole idea of ?saffron terrorism? is a segment of imagination being phrased to indulge in vote bank politics,? VHP national General Secretary Ashok Chowgule said here.

At a press conference to announce the upcoming ?International Meeting of VHP Trustees’ at Goa?s Ramnathi institution, he warned that such provoking statements were not in the interest of the nation.

The six-day annual meeting scheduled between January 4 and January 11, 2011 will discuss issues such as ?Hindu terrorism?, ?temple in honor of Rama at the Janmabhoomi? and issues relating to Jammu & Kashmir.

Reacting bitter to WikiLeaks expose about Rahul Gandhi warning America about Hindu-grown extremists in India, Chowgule said that such allegations are a ‘conspiracy to divide the country’.

?There is unjustified propaganda against the Hindu organisations by vested interests and conspiracy to divide the country,? he said.

The marathon meeting in January will be attended by VHP International President President Ashok Singal, International working President Shreenivas Vedantmani and other VHP leaders.

The organization expects over 400 registered VHP delegates from Indian and abroad. An event of such high-profile was earlier hosted in Goa by the VHP in 1978.