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Trishul distribution has become commonplace in right wing circles where hundreds and in some cases thousands of local youth are called for the event and indoctrinated into the extremist right wing ideology to keep weapons like the trishul at home and use it, as they put it, “responsibly, to protect Hindu religion, culture, women and cows.
Senior workers of either Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) or Bajrang Dal are present at such events to make vile speeches against Muslims calling them slurs like jihadis. Here’s a low down of Trishul Diksha events of the past month.
On February 28, VHP and Bajrang Dal distributed trishuls to over 130 young men in Vadodara, Gujarat. Viral Desai, of VHP Southern Gujarat, while speaking to the media said that the trishuls were distributed to Hindu men after giving them complete information about it and what is the necessity of a trishul in Hindu homes. He said that the young men were administered an oath to use the trishuls responsibly and to worship it at home and use it to protect Hindu society, women, cows and saints.
This is from #Vadodara, #Gujarat.#Hindutva group #BajrangDal distributes trishuls (tridents) among hundreds of #Hindu men.#HateSpeech #HateCrime pic.twitter.com/MwEqH8THMi
— Hate Detector ? (@HateDetectors) February 28, 2023
On March 6, Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Swami Dinesh Bharti was speaking at a trishul distribution event in Sunderbani, Jammu where he cautioned all Hindus to keep Trishuls at home. He said, “For those jihadis there is no place in this country. They should leave Bharat and this Hindustan is not theirs.” He then gave examples of gods wielding weapons like Maa Durga, Shiva, Hanuman and said that Hindu youth should also carry weapons. He then also veered towards preaching economic boycott of Muslims by saying, “if you want to buy clothes, food, stitch clothes, why don’t you go Hindu business”.
Location: Sunderbani, Jammu
Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Swami Dinesh Bharti delivered a communal speech and called on every Hindu to keep weapons at home. He was speaking at Trishul (trident) distribution event. pic.twitter.com/2ybm0sogli — HindutvaWatch (@HindutvaWatchIn) March 6, 2023
On March 12, at the Swami Narayan Temple of Himmatnagar in North Gujarat, more than 300 youths were present to accept trishuls from VHP and Bajrang Dal. As per Dainik Jagran’s report BJP MP Deep Singh Rathore (Sabarkantha constituency) was also present at the event. On March 16, amid resounding calls of “jai Shree Ram”, more than 750 Hindu youth were present where trishul were distributed by VHP, in Dhoraji, Gujarat
Location: Dhoraji, Gujarat
Bajrang Dal members distribute trishuls (tridents) among 750 Hindu youths. pic.twitter.com/kue3blr1Ll — HindutvaWatch (@HindutvaWatchIn) March 16, 2023
The following day, in Dholpur, Rajasthan, an oath was administered by VHP to hundreds of youth to protect religion, culture, society and prosperity of Hindu nation. “I will use the Trishul to protect Hindu religion,” the crowd repeated.
Location: Dholpur, Rajasthan
Bajrang Dal members distribute trishuls (tridents) among hundreds of Hindu men and administered an oath to protect religion and Hindu nation. pic.twitter.com/OZKBVM1XyX — HindutvaWatch (@HindutvaWatchIn) March 17, 2023
A similar oath was administered as can be seen in the video that came out on March 21 from Jhalana Doongri, Rajasthan where Bajrang Dal distributed Trishul to hundreds of men.
Location: Jhalana Doongri, Rajasthan
Bajrang Dal members distribute trishuls (tridents) among Hindu youths and administered an oath to protect religion and the Hindu nation. pic.twitter.com/K89FeyxPHL — HindutvaWatch (@HindutvaWatchIn) March 21, 2023
On March 24, in Kamrej, Surat; Una, Gir Somnath and Kadi, Mahesana, districts of Gujarat, more than a thousand youth were given the trishul and took an oath to protect Hindu religion while dancing on the roads holding saffron flags and dancing on “Jai Shree Ram” songs.
Location: Surat/Mehsana and Gir Somnath in Gujarat
Far-right Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal members distributed Trishuls (tridents) among more than 2000 Hindu youths and administered an oath to “protect the nation and religion.” pic.twitter.com/MrXM8G34u1 — HindutvaWatch (@HindutvaWatchIn) March 24, 2023
Location: Una, Gujarat
Far-right Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal members distributed Trishuls (tridents) among hundreds of Hindu youths and swore to convert India into a Hindu nation. A VHP leader also indulged in anti-Muslim dog whistle. pic.twitter.com/URDEIRbL9u — HindutvaWatch (@HindutvaWatchIn) March 28, 2023
Related:
‘Christians enemy no 1‘,’ keep arms at home’: Right wing vigilantes spreading hate and fear in rural Rajasthan Weaponsing religious processions, demolishing minority homes, a nadir in breakdown of rule of law: Report Rising Instances of Hate-speech, Hate Crimes in Rajasthan condemned: PWA, Delhi ‘Trishul Diksha’ in poll bound Rajasthan, a matter of grave concern