- The inception of Vishva Hindu Parishad
- Formation of the Parishad
- Guidance by Pujaniya Shri. Guruji
- Messages of Prominent Persons on the formation of the Parishad
The inception of Vishva Hindu Parishad
Vishva Hindu Parishad is a social, Dharmic and cultural organisation of Hindus living in Bharat as also in a number of foreign countries. It’s main motto is ‘Service’. It was founded with the blessings of revered Acharyas, Masters and Saints of all Mat-Panth-Sampradayas (caste-creed-sects) of Hindus and in consultations with well-known philosophers, thinkers, leaders, and visionaries.
Background
Slavery is always torturous and tormenting; be it of an animal or bird; of an individual or family; or of a society or nation. Howsoever great the individual, family, society or the nation might be in the past; in the servitude, they tend to forget not only their self-esteem and self-respect; but one’s own eminence and importance also. During the millennial serfdom (800 years under Muslim suzerainty and 200 years of British rule), the Hindus were also flung in a totally dark oblivion along with its own distinctive characteristics, noble virtues and great ideals, which had caused adornment of this great nation on the throne of Vishva Guru (World Master) literally for millions of years on the basis of its matchless inheritance. They had forgotten all their self-esteem, self-respect, eminence and importance. They had forgotten that the greatest personalities like Shriram, Shrikrishna, Goutam, Mahavir, Shankaracharya, Chanakya, Patanjali etc. are the products of the very same glorious cultural stock. They had also forgotten that they are the progeny of the cultural tradition, where the great scriptures like Veda, Shastras, Puranas, Ramayana, Mahabharat, Gita etc. saw the light of the day. Not only this, but they also forgot that they are the original inhabitants of a country, where flows the most sacred river Ganga, the redeemer of the depraved and the annihilator of sins; where lofty, majestic ranges of Himalayas are standing upright since millennia; and where there are innumerable holy places of pilgrimages, where yearning heart of a Hindu cherishes a flaming desire to reach out for washing off all his sins, vices and wickedness and thereby attain perennial peace and bliss.
In fact, the Hindu society that continued to remain at the acme of spiritual and material glory millennium after millennium in the past and which did not ever become disheartened, nor ever accept the defeat in front of the most crude, cruel and horrifying assaults of the fiercest aggressors from all over the world; but they kept alive the flame of burning desire of eternal struggle and cultural resurgence throughout these centuries. They went on propagating and promoting the divine culture leading the man to divinity and its sublime ideals of “Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah” (May all be happy), “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (Entire planet earth with all its flora and fauna is but one family) and become indifferent to the wheel of time. As a result of this, the Hindu society became ridden and riven with various types of differences, vices and evil practices like untouchability, high and low, inferior and superior, Brahmin and Shoodras etc. These differentiations and distinctions brought about gradual decline of the society. Under such circumstances, it was imperative to string the Hindu society together in the thread of unity with a view to lead it again to its pristine position of eminence, once it held by demolishing all the destructive elements crept into our society. With a view to achieve this great task, the minds, not just of a handful, but many of the greatest thinkers, distinguished philosophers, senior-most Dharmacharyas and Dharmagurus; and saints along with noblest social activists etc. got occupied by the churning and contemplations with various types of thoughts and arguments. Inception of Vishva Hindu Parishad is the most reassuring outcome of this collective cogitation, churning and the process of widest possible deep consultations.
Formative Efforts
The imminent cause of speed, inspiration and encouragement for the formation of Vishva Hindu Parishad was provided by the Report of Niyogi Commission appointed by the state of Madhya Pradesh in 1955 to investigate the actual position of the problem of conversion of illiterate, economically weak, socia-
lly backward and untouchable segments of Hindu society like Vanavasis, Girijans and the untouchables by Christian parsons by adopting various types of improper means and methods with the help of millions of dollars received from America and other Western countries. It is through the Report of this Commission that the entire nation came to know the truth about contemptuous means and methods adopted by the Christian padres for converting these gullible sections of Hindu society. It sent shock waves throughout the country. It was for the first time that the heinous means adopted by the missionaries were analysed on the basis of their practical applications through this Report. Their nefarious activities were not only endangering the Hindu Dharma, but also vehemently challenging the very unity and integrity of Bharat. According to the Report, the missionaries were running huge schools, hostels, orphanages, hospitals etc. with the aid of the foreign money and there through they were forcibly converting poor, dest itute and innocent Hindus to Christianity.
During the period, the founder of Hindusthan Samachar, an indigenous News Agency ideologically rooted in this country, Shri. Dadasaheb Apte also was equally perturbed about the various types of challenges faced by the Hindu society and he was deeply pondering over them. Besides, he was also worried about one more aspect of Hindu society. That the Hindus living in the foreign countries are gradually getting cut off from their mother land Bharat and hence he was absorbed with the thought as how to safeguard the progeny of this land from the influence and impact of the alien cultures. He had already undertaken tour of a number of foreign countries as a representative of Hindusthan Samachar and had undergone himself the agonising experience of the problems of foreign-based Hindus and their cultural collapse. This led Shri. Apte to conceive of an international organisation of Hindus for fighting these challenges unitedly.
In the mean while came the Report of Niyogi Commission, after reading which, Shri Apte was moved to the core and he undertook an in-depth study of the problem. The agony sheathing in his mind found its way to “Kesari” in the form of a few articles. While writing a couple of articles about the imminent need of an international organisation of Hindus in “Kesari”, a Marathi Daily founded by Lokmanya Tilak at Pune (Maharashtra), Shri Apte had clearly said, “The national heroes like Ram and Krishna, law-givers and philosophers like Manu and Yajnavalkya are no longer the social icons of Hindu society now. Philosophy and pious thoughts are getting marginalised in our society now. The right to freedom is being misused. Every body is using this liberty wantonly. As a result of all these, the Hindu society is going astray. Hence there is a necessity to protect both, the society and the Hinduism. How to repel the attacks on the very existence of our Hindutva? How to protect our society from the Adharma? It is high time that all these challenges should be scientifically and rationally answered. If they are properly met, then the society could be saved from this misfortune and its eternal flow would remain intact. If no appropriate answer is given to these age-old problems, we have seen several examples of what travesty awaits our society and nation? If at all there is any eternal society, it is Hindu Samaj alone. But it does not mean that this society has not evolved its thoughts and conduct, as also its Dharma and society according to the needs of the time. Today our nation is independent. We have to complete several tasks that are staring at us. Imperative need of our time is to deeply ponder over the present situations. ‘How to sustain and nourish our society? When will the unfinished tasks be completed?’ The thinkers shudder with fear and concern at the prospects of these matters. Although our society has become independent, it is shattering to pieces, in stead of getting stabilised and integrated. As though an era has changed, there are very valuable changes in Hindu laws and also in the Constitution of independent Bharat; for example, human efforts to eradicate untouchability, liberating Hindu women from social bondage, introducing democratic system of governance in place of princely states of the yore. Supremacy of Constitution etc. Co-ordination of our Shruti-Smriti-Puranas, Varna Samanvaya (synthesis) etc. are all being questioned now. Rise and spread of Communism is a newly developed menace. On account of progress of social sciences and physical sciences, new machine power has evolved for the benefit of entire mankind. The use of new machines and technology has brought about an epochal change. As a result, we see material and psychic changes in the society. Industry is advancing for over last one century. What would be its impact? What should be done to avert its adverse prospects? How to save our society from the shock administered by it, which has created almost an anarchic condition? How to re-structure our society? This is not the problem of any particular individual or institution. This has to be solved through collective cogitation and through a social organisation only on a massively large scale.”
This was the thought of Shri Apte around 1960 or so. But it is known from a letter written by Pujaniya Shri. Guruji (the then Sarsanghchalak of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) to a worker in Tamil Nadu that the former was extremely worried by the chasm created between the Hindus living in foreign lands and the Bharatiya culture, as a result of their seclusion from thier own country, society and Dharma. Both Shri. Guruji and Shri. Apte had seen the solution for this problem in an International Hindu Sammelan (conference). Almost at the same time, Hindu Mahasabha was also thinking about the need for such a Sammelan. Shri. V. G. Deshpande, the then General Secretary of Hindu Mahasabha not only wrote several articles in this regard, but he also met Shri Guruji, who appreciated his thoughts on the subject. But it was his firm opinion that such a task of organising the Hindus on the international level should not be undertaken by any political party. Lest, it would turn out to be an adjunct to politics; thereby limiting its objects and scope.
A large number Hindus, who had left Bharat some 150 years back were living in Trinidad. They were gradually getting cut off from their motherland viz. Bharat. As a result, they were being deprived of their Hindu Sanskars. Hindus at Trinidad were extremely concerned to save their children and the future generations from the adverse impact of western culture. That’s why they sent their Parliamentarian Dr. Shambhunath Kapildeo to Government of Bharat, so that the latter could arrange some Pandits to enliven once again the parched Hindu stream there. Dr. Kapildeo came to Delhi with a great hope. But he was met with a damning disappointment. Since, according to the then Government of Bharat, this idea was an outcome of the worst type of communal considerations; and fighting the communalism was the first priority of the Government. Dr. Kapildeo was taken aback. The Hindu ideological main-stream that he was trying to save in the Carribean islands was ‘disdainful communalism’ in the eyes of the then rulers of Bharat.
Dr. Kapildeo got greatly disappointed due to this treatment by the Government of Bharat. He was asked to see Shri. Guruji in this regard to find satisfactory solution of his problem. He accordingly met Shri. Guruji and related his problem to him. Shri. Guruji not only solved the problem of Dr.Kapildeo but also understood the difficulties faced by the Hindus living in foreign countries in general. He was already pre-occupied with this problem. After meeting Dr. Kapildeo, he felt more acutely the need of establishing immediate contacts with foreign-based Hindus.
Swami Chinmayanand of Mumbai was also engaged in spreading Hindu culture throught the world. He was ardently enlightening the young generation about Hindu culture, Hindu philosophy and the treasure of Hindu knowledge. He was constantly on the move throughout the world and also Bharat for this purpose. On account and in spite of his hectic activities, his yearning for creating an international Hindu organisation became stronger in his mind. He had, in fact, written about the need of such an organisation in November 1963 issue of his house magazine ‘Tapovan Prasad’, “I have a faint sketch of the same before me. Now the time has come to convene such a conference of Hindus of the entire world. Therein an appeal should be made to send the delegates from amongst the Hindus living all over the world. Therein the problem of development of Hindu culture and its propagation should be deliberated upon and the difficulties in its path should also be pondered over for finding solutions thereof. The International Conference would also think about the plans to organise and consolidate the spiritual family of Hindu Dharma. It would also consider about the programme to implement these plans. And this Conference should be held either at Delhi or Kolkata.” Much earlier to it, he had written in ‘Organiser’, a nationalist English weekly from Delhi : “A new Bharat would emerge only from the Shakhas (units) of R.S.S.”
After all the deliberations of the people as mentioned above, Shri. Guruji entrusted to Shri.Apte the task of ensuring the follow-up action in this regard. Shri. Apte undertook a hectic tour for about 9 months.
While he established contacts with the foreign-based individuals and organisations through correspondence, he personally met about 200 important religious leaders and thinkers in Bharat also. Prominent personages among those with whom he established personal contacts in Bharat were as follows :
Pujya Shankaracharyas of Kanchi Kamkoti Peeth and Sharada Peeth, Shri. K. M. Munshi (Mumbai), Sant Tukadoji Maharaj and M. S. Aney ( Maharashtra), Dr. Sampurnanand (the then Governor of Rajasthan), Shri. Chandrashekhar Shastri and Dr. Mathuralal Sharma (Rajasthan), Gyani Bhupinder Sing, Master Tara Sing and Maharaja of Patiala (Punjab), Dr. Hajari Prasad Dwivedi (Chandigarh), Satguru Jagjit Sing (Bhaini Saheb), Pujya Prabhudatt Brahmachari, Sir Sitaram Roy, Shri. Prakash Vir and Shri. Hanuman Prasad Poddar (Uttar Pradesh), famous industrialist Shri. J. K. Birla, Ex-Chief Justice Shri. B. P. Sinha, the then central minister Shri. Jagjivan Ram ( Delhi), former Central Minister Shri. N. V. Gadgil, Pujya Guru Yogiraj Maharaj of Swami Narayan Panth, Shri Bhailal Bhai Patel, (Gujarat), Shri. Batuknath Bhattacharya (Bengal), Satradhish of Vaishnava Mat ( Assam), Dr. Ramaswami Ayyar (Kerala), Shri. K. Santanam (Tamil Nadu), Maharaja of Mysore (Karnataka), Shri. Kushal Bakul (Laddakh).
Shri Apte wrote following letter to about 150 persons requesting them to participate in the deliberations of the meeting.
Letter
S. S. Apte,
Bombay-1
1, 29 Ghoga Street,
Pune-9 Parvati,
Dear Sir,
It is proposed to call a convention of representatives of all sects, faiths and religions that have arisen in this sacred land. All those, whether born in this country or abroad, who regard Bharat as the fountain head of their faith, religion, culture, philosophy and worship her as the Motherland and the Holyland, are intended to be invited to this Vishva Hindu Parishad (the tentative name to be approved or modified in the first meeting). Jains, Buddhists, Sikhs, Vaishnavas, Veer Shaivas – Lingayats and all denominations falling under the generic term Hindus are being approached with a request to come together in this first convention of its type.
On account of historic reasons, chief among them being the aggressions and the consequent enslavement for over a millennium; the social thinkers and the leaders of our nation did not get time and opportunity to come together and reconcile the disintegrating forces and tendencies with the lamentable results, which we are suffering till today. But free and politically united as we are now, it should be our ambition to mitigate the differences in us, recognize the unity behind the diversities, bring in a harmonious understanding, strong national integration and an order in the life of the whole society in accordance with the genius and spirit of our ancient and noble heritage.
The urgency is greater today, because of the sorrowful conditions to which our nation that claims a unique and universal philosophy of life; catholicity and tolerance taught by all our faiths and religions; and the affluence of culture and civilization that has fallen in spite of wishful endeavours on the political plane. The reasons are plain and patent; and need no discussion. To usher in a new order satisfying the demands and exigencies of the modern scientific age, of course, without sacrificing our eternal spirit and soul; our popular leaders and wise thinkers must come together, deliberate upon the present conditions of our society and prescribe ways and means to achieve the objective. This has been happening in this land of ours since the Vedic days. The need is greater today to re-discover the common principles and practical elements of our multi-dimensional society; and on these basis, to reinforce the abiding unity.
The essential unity of Philosophy, Religion and Culture among the Hindus in Hindusthan and abroad is in need of an urgent awakening. The standing need of our times is to establish a Central Orga-nisation to maintain contacts, to imbue them with the pure spirit of the Hindu way of life and make it possible for all of them from all the countries to draw inspiration from the fountain head of their spiritual heritage. The object and function of this Convention and the Center proposed to be evolved out of it, is to build up a Hindu solidarity and encourage the Hindus in other parts of the world to make an indelible impression on the environments amid which they live; and to enrich the culture of the countries of their adoption.
The first meeting of the conveners will be held on August 29 and 30, 1964 in Bombay. The meeting will determine the name, aims and objects, the venue, time, programmes and functions etc. of the main convention as well as decide the Managing Committee and elect its Chairman.
We solicit your approval of the idea and respectfully invite you to attend the first meeting and hope to receive your consent for joining the Panel of Conveners.
The undersigned proposes to call on you personally and explain the idea in details. May I, therefore, hope to get an indication as to when and where should I call on you? A line in reply will greatly oblige.
With sincere regards,
Yours Sincerely,
S. S. Apte .
Formation of the Parishad
On the basis of the above letter, the first meeting was held on the auspicious day of ‘Shrikrishna Janmashtami’, Vikram Samvat 2021 (birthday of Lord Shri Krishna, the epoch-maker who awakened the country, Dharma and society by giving the message of “Sambhavami Yuge Yuge” (Era after era, I shall take birth”) on 29 August 1964 that too in the Sandipani Sadhanalaya of Swami Chinmayanand at Mumbai.
Proceedings of the first session were over on 29 August, 1964, wherein over 40 invitee-delegates took part. Prominent among the worthies present on occasion were as follows:
Master Tara Sing, Jnani Bhupinder Sing (President, Shiromani Akali Dal), Dr. K. M. Munshi, Sant Tukadoji Maharaj, Shri. Guruji (Madhav Sadashivrao Golwalkar), Swami Shankaranand Saraswati, Brahmachari Dattamurti, V. G. Deshpande, J. N. Mankar, Barr. H. G. Advani, Lalchand Hirachand, Manikchand Shah, Anandpriya, K. K. Shastri, Shripad Shastri Kinjawadekar, B. M. Kamdar, Ram Batra, Amarendra Gadgil, Ramnarayana Shastri, Jamnadas Moorjani, Panwala, H. R. Joglekar, S. P. Gokhale, M. N. Ghatate, Dharmasi Moolraj Khatav, Dr. M. A. Narasimhachar, M. K. S. Radiya, H. R. Sugla, Wadilal Parikh, Dr. V. A. Vanikar, Parmanand, B. S. Gore, S. S. Apte, Prin. Mahajan, R. R. Dron, P. D. Khona, K. J. Somaiya, Sadajivatlal, P. A. Amesur, Champaknath Iyengar, G. B. Bhatia, Rajpal Puri, Shri. Dave, Shri. Sood (all from Bharat); Shri. Poddar ( Nairobi) and Shri. Ram Kripalani ( Trinidad).
While welcoming the delegates at the outset of the first meeting, Swami Chinmayanand said, “This is a great occasion for a small institution of mine that we have assembled here to accomplish a very significant task. Let us all make collective efforts for the upliftment of the entire Hindu society in a concerted manner by forsaking all differences of our creed, colour, language etc. as a first oblation in this Yajna.”
Thereafter stating the very background of the concept of Parishad, Shri. S. S. Apte submitted his report in respect of this programme thus :
Respected Masters and Worthy Friends,
It is with delight and deep sense of gratitude that I welcome you all and thank you very much. That you have honoured the invitation of an insignificant person like me indeed bespeaks of your intense devotion to the cause of our Dharma and your earnest desire to take the expedient steps to improve upon the state of affairs. It is your anxious thoughts and your readiness to act that, in fact, have prompted us, the organizers to convene this meeting for deliberations. I thank you once again for coming. For, this pre-sence here of so many worthies like the different branches of the great Ashwattha (banyan) Tree, which augurs well for the brilliant future of the Hindu society.
It is essential to state how the idea originated and how it developed into a proposal? Was it not a thought which had struck the imagination of every one, who is present here and also those who are prevented by circumstances from coming here today? In fact, during my wanderings in the country, I used to hear this idea from the mouths of every thoughtful thinker. If you permit me to speak of a vain claim, I myself had, some three years back, written a series of articles in the renowned “Kesari” of the Lokamanya on the need of inviting such a convention. I must honestly confess that I could do nothing concrete then beyond expressing my thoughts, although I had received a bunch of letters goading me to undertake the work. Only last year our holy host Revered Swami Chinmayanandji wrote in his ‘Tapovana Prasad’, ‘Very vaguely it comes to my mind that it is high time, we convened a World Hindu Council either at Delhi or Kolakata inviting delegates from all over the world to meet and discuss; and discover the difficulties and needs for maintenance and growth of Hindu culture. In this Council, we shall try to hammer out the plans and programmes necessary to hold our spiritual family of Hindu religion together.’
After reading this paragraph, the idea—mad or wild, as some may call it, possessed me and my friends; some of whom are here today in this hall. In the meantime, some other friends from political parties and cultural organizations were also thinking aloud about the possibility. Those from the Hindu Mahasabha had gone to the extent of declaring their decision. In our exchange of thoughts, it was decided that an effort should be made but it should be a non-political, on a common platform, not attached to, or sponsored by, any one or the other political party or organization, though, of course, their co-operation would be sought and secured too. I am very happy to state here that the Hindu Mahasabha very wisely agreed to this proposed approach and mode of inviting the convention; and even went to the length of passing a resolution in its Sholapur session, ‘lending its whole hearted support to this convention.’
What I wanted to impress is, it is indeed vain to imagine or claim that the idea is mine or his. This idea was lurking in the minds of all those countless individuals, who are not here. As you would see from the resume of thoughts of some well-wishers, which I have appended to this brouchers. When it developed into a proposal, it came to me to work it out. In modern terminology of a post-office, I was no more than, as some one has said, only a message carrier, and I am happy to remain as such only. Let me, therefore, once more emphasize that the idea is yours, and ours, and of one and all those, who are not here. Let’s forget how it originated. Now that it has possessed us, we shall work it out.
I will very briefly present before you, what I have done so far. I simply carried and conveyed your idea; and heard and gathered others’ thoughts on the subject, link them and bring them together, so that all those whose hearts are throbbing with the selfsame urge, may feel its warmth, intensity and urgency and then act well in time. In this assignment, I have traversed almost the whole of our country. That is how and why, you know, you have come here this morning.”
After enumerating the names of those great personalities contacted by him in this regard, Shri Apte said, “You are assembled here today on a unique occasion. It is our tradition ever since the Vedic days to come together in the hour of crisis with an anxiety to reform the society and remedy its maladies. There were Jain assemblies, Buddhists councils and our great Sikh leaders would tell us about the Panth Sangat (congregations), in which we used to think out the solutions of the evils crept in our society from time to time. I must say, there never was such a representative – united gathering of all the Panths and sects of our multi-petal society ever since the days of Harsh. Such a great opportunity is before us. Today is the eve and tomorrow, the birth day of the most perfect ever of the human beings born on the surface of this mortal world. Tomorrow is the day of Descent of the Divine in this land of Bharat, who more than any philosopher or prophet, revealed to humanity the secret of a perfect life. We are now in this Sandeepani Ashram. What better place and what more opportune time can we think of praying the Almighty to make us worthy of receiving the divine light? I pray and request you, all good souls, as you have come togetherto think, determine; and give us and the posterity a panacea for the evils, a new code of life, which will reinforce the common bonds of unity, which will infuse in us a spirit of brotherhood, and perfect understanding—which have been nourishing us since ages. That alone will lead us and our nation to a full and affluent life without any contradiction or conflict with the outside world. May I humbly request you all not to part or leave this hall before or without defining and determining the common goals, ways and means to achieve it?”
After this, with a view to ensure proper conduction of the proceedings, Shri. M. S. Golwalkar (Guruji) proposed that Swami Chinmayanandji should chair the instant proceedings. Shri. V. G. Deshpande seconded the proposal.
After full deliberations, it was decided that Organisation be named as ‘Vishva Hindu Parishad’. The discussions followed thereafter for determining aims, objects and rules of the Parishad. Several delegates made their suggestions on this topic. After shedding light on all the suggestions by the Chair-Person, Dr. K. M. Munshi defined these objects of the Parishad and presented them thus :
(1) To remain in the vanguard for organizing and strengthening the Hindu society,
(2) To propagate throughout the world the ethical and spiritual principles as also philosophy and con- duct of Hindu Dharma that are in tune with the modern times,
(3) To establish and strengthen contacts with the Hindus abroad and extend necessary assistance to them.
It was also decided in this meeting that :-
[a] the proposed World Hindu Convention be held on the auspicious occasion of Kumbh Mela (Hindu religious ablutional congregation on specific days once in 12 years; in this case 21st Jan 1966 at Prayag etc.) whereby a maximum number of Hindus from Bharat and abroad could be brought together.
[b] to organize a symposium of the learned Pandits and Dharmacharyas of all Sampradayas.
[c] to organise an exhibition, wherein the rise, evolution and glory of the Hindu culture and civilization right from the Vedic days till this date can be displayed through the medium of pictures, charts and artefacts; and
[d] certain such other programmes also would be arranged, which would infuse the spirit of “unity in diversity”.
It was further unanimously decided that :-
(i) none of the office-bearers of any political party could be the member of either the Executive Commi- ttee of the Parishad and/or the office-bearers of working committees of any of its branches; and
(ii) the organization will have a Margadarshak Mandal (Consultative Committee) comprising of the Shankaracharyas, Dharmagurus of all creeds and sects, revered persons, thinkers and philoso- phers.
In this meeting, a Committee was formed under the guidance of this supreme body comprising of four office-bearers viz. President, Vice-President, General Secretary and Treasurer; and the proposed activities of Parishad would be implemented by this Committee. The task of framing the constitution and fulfilling all the legal formalities was entrusted to this Committee. This Committee was also authorised to take all necessary actions for holding the proposed Convention.
A151 year old eminent Yogi Shri. Maharaj Sitaram Das of Ramtek blessed the Parishad through his extremely forceful and inspiring speech for about 15 minutes in the meeting.
While mentioning the pitiable and diseased condition of Hindu society at this juncture, Master Tara
Sing in his spirited speech,stressed the fact that the Sikhs and Hindus are not two separate communities. Prosperity of Sikhs is possible only so long as the Hindu Dharma is alive. Today in Punjab, they think as though Hindus and Sikhs are two separate communities. Sikhs are an inalienable part of great Hindu society. Guru Govind Sing had elaborated the knowledge and philosophy in Gurumukhi only by profusely drawing from the Hindu scriptures and Puranas. Are we to forsake these traditions passed on to us from generation to generation? While wholeheartedly supporting the activities of the Vishva Hindu Parishad, the Masterji said, “At the fag end of my life, I have an intense desire to see resolution of a couple of problems. Seeing the success of the Parishad and fulfilment of its objects is one among them.“ He also prevailed upon the Conveners that they should find out some immediate remedies for binding all in the string of unity by dispelling all differences amongst us. Nowhere it is so imminently required as it is in Punjab and Bengal as now. He said, “I am confident that if Hindus and Sikhs embrace each other once, the entire country would be charged with a new life and such a campaign would move the hearts of our brethren abroad.”
While delivering his speech, Jnani Bhupinder Sing, President of Shiromani Akali Dal said, “For over last 50 years, I am considering myself as a student of religion. Since there is an imperative need to organize the Hindus, I totally support the idea of convening such a Conference.”
While mentioning the disturbed situation, he expressed his distress that our community is becoming indifferent towards the religion. He further said, “Dharma has become merely a topic of discussion in Bharat. We have no concrete proposals for actually experiencing the glory of our culture even during the post-independence period. How is the nation going to be built up without this? How are the people going to utilize best of their virtues for service of the society?”
Guidance by Pujaniya Shri. Guruji
While delivering his address in the convention just before its conclusion in words replete with meaning, Pujaniya Shri. Guruji said: “We have assembled here with a very great idea in our minds. We all know it very well that many people from our society have gone to different countries of the world for various reasons and are presently living there. If we bring both these pictures—of the past and the present—before our eyes, one thing pricks our heart that we had gone to every nook and corner of the world in ancient times as the victors of Dharma, the victors of Culture and as the direct victors in the mundane life also; but in the last hundred and fifty years we went to serve there as coolies and for similar baser occupations. The comparison of both these periods is certainly painful to our heart. But now it would not be enough merely to recollect the glory of the past and sit yearning over it. Now we all have to make attempts to nourish them in such way that those of our brethren, who are spread all over, would once again be able to establish themselves as the flag bearers of our Dharma and culture in those countries. I feel, the very idea of the Convention has emerged only with this view that—we have a noble idea behind holding this Convention so that the Hindus living in Bharat, which is the very fountain head of Hindu Dharma and also those living in different countries come here; imbibe the holy atmosphere of this land; see the holy pilgrimages; meet the great souls here; be sanctified by taking bath in the Tirthas; cherish in their bosoms the utterances of great personalities here; nourish a feel of utmost piety and pride towards our Dharma, our culture, and our life traditions; so that they will be able to hold aloft the flag of Hindu Dharma and culture all over the world once again. It is to achieve this goal, that we have gathered here.
Shri. Apteji has travelled far and wide during last some months; met different worthies; talked to them; entered into correspondence with those, who could not be contacted; and prepared a plan of this Convention of ours. Several proposals regarding where to hold this programme, at which venue etc. were considered.
We all know that a monthly magazine titled ‘Tapovan Prasad’ is published from this place. Shrimad Swamiji had expressed his thought regarding holding such a Convention of our Hindu brothers living all over the world. This has already been told to you here at the out-set yesterday. It is therefore decided toprepare a concrete plan after holding discussions with him. During the course of discussion, the Swamiji said, “Hold the programme at my place. All facilities are available here. All the required arrangements are here. This is a solitary place suitable for stay and deliberate upon all types of things peacefully. This place is away from all types of hustle and bustle of city life. Hence hold it here only.” I was very delighted when Apte and others informed me about this suggestion of Swami Chinmayanandji. I was happy because this is a place not belonging to any particular Panth and nor is there any talk of founding a new religion. Here we have to strive to awaken the inner consciousness of entire society by freely distributing amid the whole society the eternal values, principles of life, philosophy of life that have been constantly throbbing in the annals of this country.
That too, in the Ashram of such a great personality, who presents a living example of his own holy life brimming with restrain and penance that is capable of welcoming all, embracing all; and that too in these days; especially today, as you know, being the birthday of Lord Shrikrishna and this place too is known as ‘Sandipani Sadhanalaya’, named after the master of Shrikrishna; so on such a holy day, in the sacrosanct pricincts of Sandipani Sadhanalaya, in such an atmosphere, this work is being consummated; that means success is certain for us. Because, a thought emerged in the mind, that the person who has the blessings of the Lord, can never be unsuccessful and thereby experiencing a great delight in my heart, I told Apteji that there can be no better suggestion than this. Hence we shall accomplish this sacred task only at this very place, under the benign umbrella of the Swamiji and that is how, after due deliberation, we all have come together at this place.
None of us has been inconvenienced at this place. On the contrary, one thing was always pricking my mind that we have already given lot of trouble to the Ashramavasis (inmates of Ashram). I have experienced the pinch in my heart after seeing them running here and there not only during the day, but during the night and also at all the time. In fact, I am after all just a Swayamsevak (volunteer). My work is to serve. But when someone chases me like a shadow with a mind to serve me, then it pinches my heart, it doesn’t go down well. So I have seen that great amount of trouble has been taken here in this way. The programme of this session is over by now. The work at this point of time is completed; thereby we understand it to mean that we have offered ourselves by putting a step ahead to move forward. I do suppose that we shall have to strive hard by moving steadily ahead step-by-step like this and advancing forward so long until the work of our Convention, the proposed first ever mammoth conference of the Parishad is not accomplished completely i. e. in all its aspects, whatever may they be—like consolidation of the entire society; emergence of a new awakening in the minds of Hindus of Bharat and abroad; attainment of a new consciousness; strengthening of a firm commitment in their minds for fluttering the flag of our Dharma all over the world—are not achieved fully successfully and thereafter, till we do not create a permanent structure of work for unifying our brethren residing all over the world by creating a chain of workers, who are committed to the cause of re-awakening of Dharma among our brothers in different fields, by keeping their homes and hearths aside for the purpose. I shall also humbly ask all to be prepared for it. I feel there is no need for me to say any thing in particular. I am here only in my capacity as a Swayamsevak, to do all that is within my perview. But since Shrimad Swamiji had told me to say some thing by way of service to you all, I could dare say some thing here. Otherwise I have no authority to talk, but only that of service. Let there be no shortfall from our side in our determination, which all of us do have, to wholesomely serve our society spread all over the world till we successfully complete the proposed Conference and even thereafter. This much I can place on my behalf before you all the worthies. Because I have no authority to say anything to you all, I take your permission and close my speech here only.”
Messages of Prominent Persons on Formation of the Parishad
Several religious heads, prominent intellectuals, great leaders, thinkers etc. of Bharat could not attend this meeting due to unavoidable reasons. But they concurred with the aims and objects of this meeting. They considered founding of Vishva HinduParishad as an essential and important step in the right direction and right time; and accordingly sent their greeting messages. Some of them are reproduced here below :
“Founding of Vishva Hindu Parishad is a timely step. I wish complete success to this great Convention and its lofty objects.”
– Jagadguru Shri Shankaracharya, Dwaraka Peeth
“His Holiness is happy that efforts are being made for a Hindu Convention. His Holiness is extremely delighted while sending his blessings for the same. You would get His necessary co- operation in your efforts.”
– Jagadguru Shri Shankaracharya, Shringeri Peeth
“His Holiness sends his blessings.”
– Jagadguru Shri Shankaracharya, Puri
“I send my best wishes for the success.”
– Mahant Digvijayanath
“I wish you every success.”
– Sant Prabhudatt Brahmachari
“I wish all success for the great cause undertaken by you. I pray God, ‘Hindus should work whole-heartedly for their ideals by forsaking their weaknesses and harmful tendencies…. I assure you that I shall be willing to remain ever active in the service of our country and religion till the last breath.”
-H. H. Shankaranand Saraswati Swaminidhi, Karnataka
“I am extremely happy that you have proposed to hold such a Convention, wherein proper harmony could be brought about between the various forces and tendencies. This has been a big obstacle in our country.”
-Shri Shivakumar Swamigalu, Karnataka
“I shall try to participate in the convention and I shall send the intimation later.”
-H. H. Kushak Bakul, Chief Lama of Laddakh
“The idea is very appreciable. We welcome this proposal.”
-H. H. Satradhikari, Goswami Dekhinapat Satra ( Assam)
“Your object is quite appreciable.”
–Shri B. B. Raman
“You have taken up the responsibility of a very useful task of organizing Vishva Hindu Parishad. In spite of being an enormous task, all the same it is very essential too. Being in confor- mity with this idea, I am happy to contribute as one of its main Conveners.”
-H. E. Mysore Maharaja Shri Jayachamraj Wodeyar
“As a Hindu, I extend my full support to the principles and objects of the Parishad and I will be happy to help it. I am glad to know that your plans will be progressing only on the appropriate sovereign Hindu background and with the involvement of national attitudes.”
–Shri Sunitikumar Chatterjee