LUCKNOW: The Vishwa

Parishad (VHP) has decided to recruit a fresh band of vigilantes called ‘Dharma Yoddhas’ (religious fighters) to check instances of love Jihad, conversion and cow slaughter, and protect religious places under threat. The VHP brass has directed its cadres to identify youth who could be appointed as Dharma Yoddhas to coordinate with district authorities in keeping a hawk eye on instances that could disrupt social harmony.

“The idea is to cultivate a cadre which is fully dedicated to protection and preservation of our culture. It is rather a way to inculcate the feeling of nationalism among youth. One should not associate a Dharma Yoddha with violence. These Yoddhas will not be armed but will just remain vigilant and keep a tab on anti-social elements who disrupt social and cultural harmony,” VHP national spokesperson Vinod Bansal told TOI.

“VHP cadres have varying interests. They are assigned different activities that VHP carries in various parts of the country,” added Bansal.

The move comes amid outrage over a Hindu girl being assaulted for courting a Muslim man in Meerut. There have been

that police freed the girl from VHP activists.

Later a video of the Muslim youth being assaulted by activists had gone viral.

Recruitment will start from October

Informed sources in VHP told TOI that the Dharma Yoddhas would be recruited at village, block, tehsil and district levels across the country and would be entrusted responsibilities as per their area of interest like cow protection and conservation, stopping conversions and love jihad.

VHP, sources said, has also asked its members to identify temples that need protection.

“The cadre would keep a vigil around such temples and would also help in their management,” a senior VHP leader said. Sources said that the idea of recruiting Dharma Yoddhas was mooted by VHP ranks in Allahabad where Kumbh is scheduled to be organised next year. “It is a huge Hindu religious congregation and VHP members are expected to be deployed to keep a close vigil and help devotees,” said a senior member. The development comes close on the heels of VHP deciding to resume recruitment in

,

and Matri Shakti.

The recruitment would start from October.