Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Feb 5: A well-known name in the district, Sharan Pumpwell is the divisional secretary of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP). Joining Bajrang Dal as a member in 2005, Sharan has climbed the ranks to now become a known face.

In an in-depth interview with Daijiworld editor-in-chief, Walter Nandalike on Daijiworld 24x7 channel's 'Rough n Right' programme, Sharan speaks about his organisation and the beliefs it stands for.

Excerpts

DW: Sharan Pumpwell was associated with Bajrang Dal (BD) for many years, but now you are part of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP). Why the shift?

Sharan: Bajrang Dal, is the youth wing of Vishwa Hindu Parishad. In 2005, I joined Bajrang Dal as a member of the organisation. For 14 years that I was part of Bajrang Dal, I undertook various responsibilities. I have worked in unit, district and in the state-level as Karnataka south provisional coordinator for three years. In VHP there is a system that for 16 to 35 years one should work with Bajarang Dal and after 40 years one should join VHP. It is like a promotion. Now I am working as secretary of VHP (Mangaluru division) and according to the Sangh, Mangaluru division includes Mangaluru, Puttur, Kasargod and Udupi.

DW: What main objective of VHP?

Sharan: VHP works to organise and fortify the Hindu society across the entire world. VHP came into existence in the year 1964. VHP works under the guidance of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). To rebuild the country on the basis of 'Sanatana Dharma'. VHP is working to achieve this goal. There are 65,000 various wings under the umbrella of VHP. There are 50,000 units of Bajrang Dal in the country. There 15,000 units of Womens' wing-like 'Durgavahini'. In VHP there several divisions like Gua-Raksha Vibhag, Seva Vibhag, Dharmacharya Vibhag etc. VHP's aim is to solve the issues faced by the Hindu community. There are more than 1,000 branches of VHP in Dakshina Kannada. In the coast, there are 15,000 active VHP and Bajrang Dal members. Our intention is to bring together our Hindu brethren and whenever the country or the religion is under threat, work to protect.

DW: If you would want to put it in simple terms, would you say your intention is to make this country a Hindu nation?

Sharan: Yes, definitely.

DW: So, you protest against minorities and Muslims?

Sharan: The concept of Hindu Rashtra is not opposing Muslims or minorities. Teaching the entire world what our ancestors taught, how to lead a life. Our forefathers taught us about consuming proper food and dressing appropriately. Sanatana Dharma had taught the meaning of human relationships to the entire world. Hindu society does not oppose anyone, we are accepting of everyone. All our programme concludes with the thought 'Sarve Janah Sukhino Bhavanthu'. It is the only religion which has taught everyone to coexist.

DW: So it means everyone should listen to what VHP preaches? Why should people consume food according to you?

Sharan: I never said so. I am talking about what our ancestors taught, their culture and how to lead a life. We have never steered anyone to function in a particular way or consume food of our choice. If this country has to attain glory, there should be a concept of Hindu Rashtra. Today, several countries are accepting Indian ways of life because of Ayurveda, yoga, and agriculture. We should lead a life as per the message in our scriptures like Mahabharata and Ramayana. This country should be like the land as the dreamt by Swami Vivekananda.

DW: You say that Sangh Parivar has the objective to build the nation as Hindu Rashtra. You hold protests against cow slaughter, love jihad and various other issues. But what is your role when it comes to helping people, especially, during the COVID-19 pandemic, what is your service or contribution?

Sharan: Every year, VHP holds more than 40,000 service-oriented activities in the country. In Mangaluru, every month we donate blood to various hospitals. There is an orphanage in Kuthar Padavu, there are over 100 children there, VHP is looking after their education. We have financed the marriage of several girls through our Ashram. We protect cattle through our Ashram. During the pandemic, our activists have extensively rendered their service. When there was a severe scarcity of blood and people were apprehensive to enter the hospital, our members donated blood. More than, 750 blood donation camps were organised. We have supplied groceries to 40,000 families, food for 50,000 people. We have arranged free medicine during the pandemic. We have made arrangements for ambulance services for the people in need during the pandemic. VHP was directly involved in the protest against the Yettinahole Drinking Water Project. When society is under threat, we stand with society.

DW: You protest against the minorities when they commit a crime, but will you be silent when people of your own religion do something wrong?

Sharan: We will definitely oppose those who oppose the culture and belief of this land. They could be Hindus or minorities or any other organisation, we will oppose them. Several people including Prof Bhagawan made derogatory comments on Lord Ram. We opposed it. We have opposed UR Ananthamurthy or the so-called progressive thinkers when they made derogatory comments against our religion. VHP will always oppose such actions.

DW: It is said that within your organisation there are people who try to suppress your growth? Is it true?

Sharan: I do not know how it will be profitable for these people to bring me down. I am working for a Hindu organisation, working for Hindus. I am not working for selfish reasons or trying to make money. Lately, my efforts are going against me and it is defaming me. By editing the news content, a few people are making efforts to slander my reputation where they have linked me in prostitution cases. In this regard, I have filed a police complaint. VHP is not involved in such illegal activities. I have formed my own institution. I work for it. I have provided employment to many. I have never done any illegal activities neither directly nor indirectly. The efforts to defame my reputation is in force. In this, there are even Hindus and minorities groups. This is being done by creating fake accounts on Facebook. These elements do not fight directly. If I have done anything wrong let them tell this to me directly. In this regard, I have filed a police complaint and probe is being conducted. Recently, I also received a threat call stating that they will continue to spread false news against me and even kill me. They have sought ransom from me.

DW: Sharan Pumpwell has worked for the organizations, when will you join politics?

Sharan: I have never thought of joining politics. I will never go into politics. There are several youths in Dakshina Kannada who are in politics. I like to work for VHP. There are several problems and misunderstanding in Hindu society. I am working since 15 to 16 years to clear it. That being said, I have no plans currently or in the future to join politics.

DW: Recently, memes on 'Thantre Ba Thant' are going viral on social media. You even held a protest against it along with Vajradehi Swamiji. Do you any plan to fight against anyone?

Sharan: What is the benefit of fighting against all? We will fight against those who involve in anti-Hindu activities. We will definitely fight against those who carry out cattle theft or slaughtering. We will fight against those who are involved in religious conversion. We will fight against those who kill our activists or desecrate our religious centres. You may know the recent incident of dropping objectionable items into the offering boxes of temples. Should we remain silent against these people without a fight? Riyaz Farangipete states that his organisation is against the Sangh Parivar. Sangh Parivar has contributed to Hindu society. Through his statements, Riyaz Farangipete challenged Hindu society. The intention of SDPI and PFI is the Islamization of India. Hiding their faces, they burned the police station during the NRC protest. Stones were hurled on vehicles. They attacked police constable Ganesh Kamath and one of the accused of the attack is the secretary of SDPI of Kudroli who is under arrest. Their strategy is to finish those who oppose their ideology. So they are targeting police, Sangh Parivar. His statements are going viral as memes. Several Hindu activists were killed. There is an involvement of SDPI and PFI in these murders. The incidents which were taking place in Kashmir are now taking place in Mangaluru. Graffiti is written on the wall to support the Lashkar-e-Taiba. PFI and SDPI have a part in this. Hence, he has given such a statement 'Nee Thantre Ba Thant', it is an indirect warning. When we face threat or problem we will fight.

DW: You raise voice against love jihad, the Act should have been passed in a recent session, but the government is dragging it? Why do you not call for immediate implementation when it is your own government?

Sharan: Bajrang Dal is fighting against 'Love Jihad' for the past 20 years. Earlier, people had no clarity on 'Love Jihad'. When we had opposed the love between Muslim youth and a Hindu girl, people would say that Love Jihad is a cooked-up story. Because of our fight against this, people have realised what is Love Jihad. It was a thought out strategy to convert Hindu girls to Islam. Not only Hindu girls, even Christian girls are being converted. There is a system to help this cause, through financial and legal procedures. They allocate cash for girls on the basis of their community. Uttar Pradesh has brought a law to stop this. We requested even BJP-government in the state to act against this. We asked the BJP leaders to implement stringent laws on cow slaughter and love jihad. We are confident that in the next session this will be implemented.

DW: There are allegations that in Sangh Parivar top positions are headed by the people of higher communities and lower responsibilities are given to people of the lower caste. Why is there discrimination on such a basis in the organisation?

Sharan: There is no truth in what you asked, Sangh Parivar treats everyone as an equal. No roles or positions are provided on the basis of caste in the organisation. Responsibility is given to the person depending on how he works in the organisation. I am from the backward class, but I have been given important responsibilities. There are many people who belong to the lower community and are in the top positions.

DW: You speak against SDPI. Meanwhile, people are calling SDPI the 'B' wing of BJP. BJP joined hands with SDPI to defeat Congress in the GP elections. However, how far this is true no one knows? Why cannot SDPI and the Sangh Parivar just resolve their problems? Is this possible under your leadership?

Sharan: SDPI is a political party. Sangh Parivar will never meddle in politics. BJP is an answer to SDPI. SDPI is an anti-national organisation which has caused damage to the country. It has created problems for several activists in our organisation. There is a role of SDPI and PFI in the murders of Hindu activists. The terrorist activities reported in the country end up having a link to SDPI or PFI. In a raid by the Enforcement Directorate on the office of SDPI, they seized illegal cash from their office. If BJP joins hands with such a party, VHP will oppose BJP. We cannot accept it. Whoever joins hands with them, we will oppose them. There is no meaning that a party that formed on nationalist ideology is joining hands with a party that is anti-national. Sangh Parivar has made efforts for peace talks between our religious leaders and the Muslim leaders. We do not oppose the existence of Muslims or anyone other religion. But there are mainly Muslim youths who have been named in the murder of Hindus. They have also been accused in rape cases, drug cases, assault on police officers and desecrating religious centres. Why cannot SDPI or PFI ask their youth to not involve in such things? They know Hindus worship cows. Why cannot they respect our practices? Why are they not telling their community to refrain from the consumption of beef or desist from getting involved in cattle slaughter? In the name of love, Hindu girls are being converted. If they correct this, peace will be restored in the district. Is there any incident of us pelting stones at mosques or church?

DW: What about the 2008 attack. Was Bajrang Dal not involved in it?

Sharan: Bajrang Dal never attacked the church. The attack was by the Hindu youths on the conversion centres.

DW: Mahendra Kumar, the then BD convener has accepted that there was an attack on the church.

Sharan: What has he accepted? Tell me which church was attacked?

DW: Would you like to explain the attack that happened on the Milagres Church? The attack on the Holy Cross?

Sharan: I would just like to say that the attack was not on the church but the Holy Cross.

DW: But is it not an attack on the church as it has happened inside the church?

Sharan: No, the incident did not take place inside the church but on the right side of it. I am not defending the attack. It was something that should not have happened. But, the point still remains, we have never attacked the church. We do not attack people who just walk on the streets. We are ready to have an amicable decision with the Muslim leaders. But will they work to solve this? Will they convince their youth? Let us all lead a peaceful life. If the situation does not improve, we need to think of whom to keep away.

Watch full interview: