The youths have been told to carry the trishuls, a VHP leader said.

(This story originally appeared in on Jun 14, 2017)

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal on Monday distributed trishuls (tridents) to 75 youths at a Trishul Diksha programme in Gandhinagar . The right wing organisations claimed the purpose was to protect cows, fight ‘ Love Jihad ’ and for Anti-Romeo squads near educational institutions. According to VHP general secretary Mahadev Desai, “In the past two-andhalf years, around 4,000 trishuls have been distributed to youngsters in Gandhinagar city and district.” As per the VHP’s mission, in the past five months they have organised one Trishul Diksha programme every month in the State capital and the last programme was held in Sector 7.

In the last six programmes, around 700 trishuls have been distributed. “The trishuls are not to be showcased at home. We have given clear direction to the youths to carry the trishuls with them,” Desai said. Talking about the concerns of carrying around weapons, Desai clarified that the trishuls were not classified as weapons. “The trishuls are one centimetre smaller than the prohibited weapons. Hence, it can be used to save cows. There have been several cases of cow slaughter in Gujarat and the police have failed to stop the crime. It is time the Hindu youth come forward to fight it.

Moreover, we are also working towards controlling the menace of Love Jihad and are setting up Anti-Romeo squads around educational institutions in the city,” he said. Claiming trishul is a symbol of confidence and power of Lord Shiva, Gandhinagar Bajrang Dal president Shaktisinh Zala said, “We want to make a strong unit of Hindu youth who staunchly follow Hindutva and our Trishul Diksha event in Gandhinagar is part of that mission.”

Meanwhile, Virendrasinh Yadav, superintendent of police, Gandhinagar, said, “Laws are same for everyone and the youths don’t have rights to carry trishul in public places or any places mentioned under the rules. We will definitely take action against youths if they are found to possess a trishul.” The VHP and Bajrang Dal plan to organise a huge Trishul Diksha programme at Kalol next on June 20, where 1,100 youth are expected to attend.



In Video: Now trishuls to protect cows fight Love Jihad