Certain Hindutva forces are allegedly using Maha Kumbh 2025 to not only promote their cause but also raise contentious issues like the Places of Worship Act, Kashi Vishwanath-Gyanvapi Mosque, Shahi Eidgah Mosque-Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple, and Sambhal Mosques.

These Hindutva forces are trying to whip up the people’s sentiments by demanding to wrap up the Waqf Board and establish a Sanatan Dharma Board.

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad organised an assembly of different akharas and sects of seers and saints in the Maha Kumbh Mela ground. Attended by hundreds of saints, many proposals related to the Hindu religion were passed at the Dharma Sansad.

Why Dharma Sansad

Attending the Dharma Sansad, Jagadguru Vidya Bhaskar Ji Maharaj urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to annul the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act.

He argued that the law was imposed without consultation and it was meant to “protect mosques built by demolishing Hindu temples”.

The Places of Worship Act, approved by Parliament on September 18, 1991, prohibits the conversion of places of worship and maintains their religious character as of August 15, 1947.

The Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Mosque in Ayodhya was the only exception. This disputed structure was demolished on December 6, 1992. A Ram Temple was inaugurated in its place in 2024, though the temple has yet to be completed.

Another important decision taken at the Dharma Sansad was to demand the establishment of the Sanatan Dharma Board.

Sanatan Dharma Board

Explaining the reason for establishing the Sanatan Dharma Board, Nimbark Peethadheeshwar Shyam Sharan Devacharya, who chaired the Sanatan Dharma Sansad, said that the board would safeguard Sanatan Dharma and ensure the security of future generations.

Highlighting the need for a unified board for all Hindus, ISKCON leader Gaurang Das Ji Maharaj questioned if organisations like CII and FICCI exist for industries and the IMA for medicine, why can’t we have a similar body to protect and unite ‘sanatanis’?”

What may be shocking for many Hindus, the Dharma Sansad also passed a resolution to abolish the Muslim Waqf Board.

Dharma Sansad Demands To Abolish Waqf Board

The Waqf Boards deal with Muslims’ religious, social, and economic lives and manage mosques, dargahs, and graveyards. They also support schools, colleges, hospitals, dispensaries, and musafirkhanas, which are meant for social welfare.

The Dharma Sansad was also attended by Chinmayanand Bapu from Haridwar, Mahamandaleshwar Ashutosh Nand Maharaj, Raghavacharya Ji Maharaj, Hanuman Garhi’s Mahant Raju Das, and Vallabhacharya Ji Maharaj from Ayodhya. Jain saint Vivek Muni Ji Maharaj also attended.

Political analysts believe the VHP and other Hindutva forces want to exploit the Maha Kumbh for political purposes that may not only increase its weightage and credibility but also benefit the BJP.

The intentions of the Hindutva forces are clear. The BJP-led government wants to take control of Waqf properties across the country and has moved the Waqf Amendment Bill. The Joint Parliamentary Committee is holding deliberations on the bill.

Analysts believe the BJP wants to send strong signals not only to the Muslims but also to the majority Hindu community.

VHP Eyes Kashi, Mathura Temples

Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi and Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple in Mathura are the other contentious issues on which the Hindutva forces want to unite Hindu society and use it for political purposes. For example, the Babri Mosque-Ram Janmabhoomi Temple was exploited, catapulting the BJP into power in Delhi.

The VHP has already taken up the issues of these two temples and held many meetings of saints. They have gone to the extent of suggesting the Muslim community hand over the temples voluntarily.

Dharma Sansad Demands To Annul Places of Worship Act

The Places of Worship Act may prove to be the main obstacle to acquiring these structures from the Muslim community. This is the main reason for the demand to annul the act.

Political observers feel the RSS wants to go slow on these issues. It does not want to rake up the issues of Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi and Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple in Mathura.

Responding to the Shahi Eidgah controversy, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat asked “why one should try to find a shiva linga under every mosque?”

RSS, VHP Not On Same Page?

Though he justified the aggression of Hindutva forces by arguing that the Hindus have been at war for a thousand years, he tried to cool the sentiments by indicating that no new issues should be taken up.

The RSS chief said,”Building the Ram Temple was a matter of faith for Hindus, but it does not make one a Hindu leader. The Ram Temple is a matter of faith for all Indians.”

The apparent differences between the RSS and the VHP emerged after Bhagwat disapproved of persistent disputes over temple-mosque issues and called such religious debates “unacceptable.”

He emphasised the need to focus on unity and harmony and the need to avoid politicising sensitive topics that threaten social cohesion.

However, the VHP is not convinced. Responding to Bhagwat, VHP’s joint General Secretary said, “We declared in 1984 that we aim to reclaim only three temples—Ram Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya, and the temples in Kashi and Mathura.”

The saints and seers, with the apparent support of the VHP, also declared a Hindu Code at the Dharma Sansad.

Political observers believe the VHP wants to dominate the Hindu society and take control of the day-to-day life of normal Hindus. With this intention, it has talked of the establishment of the Sanatan Board.

Will the Hindu society accept these dictates of the VHP?