Gujarat - Now, trishuls to protect cows, fight `Love Jihad'

Hiren Upadhyay

VHP, Bajrang Dal distribute tridents to 75 youths in G’nagar, claim Anti-Romeo squads near schools, colleges too will get the `weapon’

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal on Mon day distributed trishuls (tri dents) to 75 youths at a Tris hul 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 to wards 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 con fidence 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.