by Ankit Raj
New Delhi: The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has launched a new campaign in Delhi on the occasion of Chhath Puja, distributing ‘Sanatan Pratishtha’ stickers alongside a pledge for a ‘Jihadi-free Delhi.’
The organisation asserts that this initiative aims to offer devotees ‘pure and certified’ puja materials. However, observers view this as yet another effort by the Hindutva organisation to systematically boycott Muslim merchants.
In an interview with The Wire Hindi, Dr. Shamsul Islam, a distinguished historian and former professor at Delhi University, says, “All of this is being carried out to prevent any discussion regarding the real issues – water, electricity and housing – faced by the residents of Bihar living in Delhi, who are experiencing significant neglect.”
Sanatan Pratishtha sticker: certification or weapon of boycott?
On October 23, Surendra Gupta, the provincial minister of VHP Indraprastha, announced that the organisation plans to establish stalls at various sites across all 30 districts of Delhi, offering “certified, pure and useful” puja materials.
Additionally, Hindu shopkeepers, hawkers, and street vendors will receive an official “Sanatan Pratishtha” sticker following a verification process.
What criteria will this “verification” entail? Gupta clarified that it will be based on “shop/stall registration, identity and document verification and subsequent inspection by a local representative.” The organisation claims that this measure is intended to guarantee “quality and purity.”
The VHP will distribute these stickers to shopkeepers.
VHP’s defence: ‘Not against anyone’
Gupta claimed that this initiative is “not directed against anyone, but rather aims to safeguard our culture, traditions and Sanatan beliefs.” He said that the organisation is operating “peacefully, legally and transparently” and holds “respect for all communities.”
This story was originally published in thewire.in. Read the full story here.