Varanasi: Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal have come up with a firm demand of prohibiting entries of non-hindus at Varansi ghat. They have put up posters banning the entry of non-Hindus to the Varanasi ghats along the Ganga on the walls of buildings.
The city convener of Bajrang Dal, Nikhil Tripathi ‘Rudra’ said that through these posters, a clear message has been conveyed to those who treat the ghat as ‘picnic spots’.
“We are warning to them to stay away from the ghats of Ganga, as it is not a picnic spot but a symbol of ‘Sanatan’ culture,” he said.
The VHP city secretary, Rajan Gupta, said that those who have no respect for Sanatan dharma should not come to the ghats and temples. “We will welcome them if they show respect to Sanatan dharma,” he said.
The poster adds that “it is not a request but a warning”. A large number of foreign tourists come to Varanasi and spend hours at the ghats, interacting with local people.
Right-wing activists earlier had object on smoking of tourists at the ghats. The activists had also staged demonstrations and recited the Hanuman Chalisa in front of a church in Chandmari area on New Year’s Eve.
These posters appear to be part of a Hindu-led anti-minority campaign that has been going on in various parts of the country for the past few months. Many people believe that these posters, which are being erected in the context of Uttar Pradesh’s upcoming assembly elections, have political significance.
After putting up the poster at the ghats, they are also planning to put it up at the temples of Varanasi, where Prime Minister Modi recently inaugurated the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor. Hundreds of these posters have been put up on Panchganga Ghat, Ram Ghat, Dashashwamedh Ghat, Assi Ghat, and Manikarnika Ghat. In social media posts, leaders have said that similar posters will also be placed around Hindu temples in the city.
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