Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal, two Hindu nationalist organizations, have called for the chanting of the “Hanuman Chalisa” on May 9, a day before the Karnataka Assembly elections. The decision is seen as a counter to the Congress party, which in its recently released manifesto, promised to take action against organizations spreading hatred on the basis of religion and caste.
The “Hanuman Chalisa” is a hymn dedicated to Lord Hanuman, a Hindu deity who is believed to possess immense strength and is considered a symbol of devotion and loyalty. It is a popular devotional song among Hindus.
The decision by the VHP and Bajrang Dal to organize the chanting of the “Hanuman Chalisa” has been met with criticism by some who see it as an attempt to polarize voters on religious lines. The Congress party has accused the BJP of promoting communalism and trying to create a divide among communities.
The Congress party’s manifesto promises to take action against organizations like Bajrang Dal and PFI (Popular Front of India), which it accuses of promoting enmity and hatred between different communities. The party has said that it believes in upholding the law and the Constitution and will take decisive action against any organization that violates these principles.
The BJP, on the other hand, has accused the Congress party of appeasing minorities and promoting a soft-Hindutva agenda. The BJP has said that it stands for the protection of Hindu interests and will not allow any organization to malign the image of Hinduism.
The BJP has been in power in Karnataka since 2018 and is seeking to win another term in the upcoming elections. The Congress party, which was in power before the BJP, is hoping to make a comeback.
The elections in Karnataka are being closely watched by political analysts as they are seen as a bellwether for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The BJP has been on a winning spree in state elections and is hoping to continue its winning streak.
The VHP and Bajrang Dal’s decision to organize the chanting of the “Hanuman Chalisa” is likely to further polarize the electorate on religious lines. The Congress party’s promise to take action against organizations promoting hatred and enmity is likely to appeal to the secular and liberal voters.
It remains to be seen how the electorate will respond to these developments and whether the elections in Karnataka will be fought on issues of development and governance or on religious lines.
