VHP Leader Advocates for Stronger Legal Measures on Key Issues
Mangaluru: In a significant statement, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) national organising secretary Milind Parande has called upon both the central and state governments to enact and enforce stringent laws aimed at protecting cows, halting forced religious conversions, and addressing the phenomenon referred to as 'love jihad'.
Concerns Over Illegal Cattle Transportation
Parande expressed deep concern regarding the illegal transportation of cattle, particularly highlighting issues along the borders of Karnataka with neighboring states. He pointed out that Kerala has not yet ratified a cow protection law in its legislative assembly, which he believes facilitates unlawful cattle movement into and through the region.
"Karnataka shares its borders with Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Kerala has not yet ratified a cow protection law in its assembly. As a result, illegal transportation of cattle takes place," Parande stated, emphasizing the need for cross-border coordination.
Demand for Strict Implementation of Anti-Cow Slaughter Act
The VHP leader demanded rigorous enforcement of the Anti-Cow Slaughter Act, 2020, in Karnataka. He urged the state government to identify key smuggling routes and increase the number of checkpoints to effectively prevent the transportation of cattle.
"The police, while confiscating vehicles involved in illegal cattle transportation and arresting drivers, also should ensure that the vehicle owners too face action," Parande insisted, advocating for comprehensive legal accountability.
Discussion on 'Love Jihad' and Religious Conversions
During the conference, incidents of 'love jihad' were a major topic of discussion. Parande cited a specific case involving the HR head of IT major TCS in Nashik, who has been accused of religious conversion, to illustrate broader concerns.
He warned that failure to address these issues could lead to increased suspicion towards the Muslim community. In response, the VHP has decided to engage with various industry stakeholders nationwide to discuss preventive measures.
"If the leaders concerned fail to address these issues, it may lead to increased suspicion towards Muslim community. The VHP has decided to meet various industry stakeholders across the country to discuss measures to prevent similar incidents," he explained.
Parande also emphasized the necessity of an effective grievance redressal system to handle complaints from employees regarding such matters.
Central Government's Legislative Efforts
Parande noted that the central government has introduced the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill 2026, aimed at monitoring organizations that receive foreign funds, which are allegedly used for religious conversions. This legislative move is seen as a step towards greater oversight in this area.
Nationwide Membership Drive and Anti-Drug Campaign
In addition to these demands, Parande announced that the VHP and Bajrang Dal will launch a nationwide membership drive in November, with an ambitious target of enrolling one crore members. He mentioned that a previous drive successfully saw 72 lakh enrolments.
Furthermore, the Bajrang Dal has initiated a campaign to make India free from drugs, reflecting the organization's broader social and cultural initiatives beyond the immediate legal and political issues discussed.
