At the end of World War II, the world witnessed the rapid emergence of newly independent countries freeing themselves from the clutches of waning colonial powers. Bharat was at the forefront of countries in gaining Independence to determine its own destiny. Hindus in Bharat as well as those around the world saw these changes and opportunities that emerged with the fall of colonial rule.
Bharat finally gained its Independence on August 15, 1947, though this Independence came after a painful and horrific partition of the historical and spiritual homeland of the Hindus. During the cataclysmic violent event of the historic Partition, the world witnessed one of the greatest human migrations and massacres ever seen in recorded history, with Hindus bearing the brunt of the killings and violent displacements – an overwhelming majority of the Hindu population. was expelled from West and East Pakistan, Bangladesh.
It was through this final ordeal under which Hindus finally won their Independence after a thousand years of brutal occupation by hostile, genocidal, non-Hindu forces that the Hindus of an independent Bharat and those residing outside Bharat hoped to build their future. .
However, even in an independent Bharat, Hindu interests were compromised due to various factors. They faced problems not only within Bharat but all over the world. The problems they faced were most profound in Pakistan and Bangladesh, where Hindus suffered numerous cases of mass genocide, forced displacement and conversion. Those living in other parts of the world like the Caribbean, Africa, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Indonesia, Fiji were facing discrimination and humiliation mainly because of their Hindu identity. At that time, there was neither a government nor a worldwide organization that effectively looked after the interests of Hindus.
It is against this background that Hindus of various backgrounds decided to form an organization to strengthen Hindu society throughout the world. Eminent and respected Hindu leaders like Swami Chinmayanand Saraswati, Shri MS Golwalkar, (PP Shri Guruji) and Shri Shivram Shankar Apte, took the initiative supported by Sardar Master Tara Singh, Jain Muni Sushil Kumar and Rinpoche Kushok Bakula and called a meeting of unprecedented Hindu social, spiritual, cultural and political leaders and heads of many different sections (sampradayas) of Hindu society such as, but not limited to, Shaiva, Vaishnava, Veera Shaiva, Jain, Buddhist, Sikh, Arya Samaj and others in Sandeepany Sadhanalaya, Powai, Mumbai.
Over forty important Hindu spiritual leaders and citizens attended this meeting and held lengthy discussions and deliberations to formulate a way forward, some ideas were put forward.
The assembled leaders finally formed the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) on the day of Krishna Janmashtami (commemorating the birth of Bhagwan Krishna), 29 August 1964 with the following objectives: (a) To make Hindu civilization invincible by strengthening, consolidating and the organization of Hindu society; and (b) To spread throughout the world the spiritual and philosophical aspects of Hindu Dharma in accordance with the changing times.
During the last 58 years, VHP has served the Hindu society with great effort and zeal by uniting Dharmacharyas of all Sampradayas of Hindu Dharma. She has also started a wide range of service and education projects to serve the less fortunate members of Hindu society.
The VHP has played an important role in restoring pride among Hindus in their glorious heritage and has made efforts to unite Hindus on many different lines. The most prominent example of the VHP’s contribution to the Hindu Revival was during the Sri Rama Janmabhoomi movement, which was the monumental agitation by Hindus demanding the restoration of the sacred birthplace of Bhagwan Ram to Hindu society.
VHP has been extremely successful in its chosen mission and continues to serve the Hindu society through seva and provides a platform for Dharmacharyas to unite.
The future generations of Hindu society form both the main life force and the core strength of Hindu society. Therefore, the rejuvenation and revival of Hindu Dharma throughout the world rests largely on the shoulders of future generations of Hindus. Thus, Hindu youth are the most essential part of sustainable Hindu revival. Recognizing the growing importance of educating young Hindu children about the greatness of Hindu Dharma, VHP worldwide launched a unique set of programs consisting of weekend classes and heritage youth camps designed to educate Hindu children while promoting heritage the glorious and rich history of the Hindu Society.
After various Hindu communities around the world witnessed the effectiveness and importance of these weekend classes and youth heritage camps, a growing number of Hindu organizations working in various spheres were inspired to start such similar programs. When the youth entered various colleges and universities for higher studies, VHP encouraged and inspired them to organize Hindu Students at the grassroots level within campuses in many countries, ranging from North America to Caribbean countries, UK, Europe, Africa, South and Southeast. Asia, Australia, New Zealand and Fiji.
Organizations serving the needs of Hindu students are very active on campuses as well as in local societies. As a result, educated young Hindu professionals are now at the forefront of the Hindu revival around the world.
Historically, there have been deliberate attempts to suppress Hindu identity by numerous antagonistic forces around the world. The result of these worthless and systematic campaigns has caused noble concepts such as the practice of yoga to be completely disconnected from its Hindu roots. Furthermore, Hindus are routinely identified by Hindus and non-Hindus alike as South Asians or even generically referred to as Asians.
In response to this alarming trend, the VHP has initiated a series of discussions and reforms within Hindu society to promote and inculcate a common Hindu identity among members of the global Hindu society.
Wherever Hindus live, they have contributed immensely to the countries where they have settled. Prominent examples of Hindu contribution to democracy and freedom can be seen in countries such as Malaysia, Caribbean nations, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Mauritius, Fiji, Indonesia, etc. In addition, Hindus have contributed immensely in a number of different fields including education, health, science and technology, business and are in many countries around the world such as the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Eurozone, Australia and New Zealand. New.
The VHP has organized several national conferences to showcase the vital contributions made by the local Hindu community in their adopted country, in order to establish that they are an indispensable and law-abiding part of the local society and are fully engaged in the democratic process. In groundbreaking conferences organized by the VHP, many presidents and prime ministers (to name a few—1989 Margaret Thatcher,—Prime Minister UK, 1995—Nelson Mandela President, South Africa, 2000 Vasdev Pandey, Prime Minister, Trinidad & Tobago, 2003—Ranil Wikramsinghe, Prime Minister, Sri Lanka, 2007 Helen Clark, Prime Minister, New Zealand,) inaugurated and participated in the programs and strongly appreciated the invaluable contributions of the local Hindu community.
To strengthen and organize the Hindu society worldwide, VHP has been at the forefront of organizing regional, national and international conferences to inculcate in the Hindu society that a common Hindu identity transcends all sectoral, regional and linguistic barriers.
Moreover, VHP also aims to unite all Hindu temples, religious and socio-cultural organizations across the world on a common platform.
(This article is reproduced, first published in 2014)
