VHP, Bajrang Dal deny role in Bhadrak unrest

Cuttack: The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) whose members were alleged to have led protests over 'abusive' remarks against Hindu deities triggering violence and vandalism in Bhadrak denied its own and Bajrang Dal’s role in the issue.

Talking to mediapersons, the executive chairman of the Odisha Unit of VHP, BN Patnaik said “The way the VHP and Bajrang Dal are being accused of being the instigators, I would like to say that our activists are not undisciplined and unruly. Our activists carry out programs in a peaceful manner. They had informed the government a few days back that similar tensions are likely to happen asking it to take steps. As the government did not act, certain unsocial groups jointly perpetrated such unlawful activities. The VHP or the Bajrang Dal has no role or responsibility in this.”

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Commenting on the ‘abusive’ posts made on Hindu deities in Social Media, Patnaik said “It is very sad that such comments were made against the deities. It is natural that it has hurt sentiments of Hindus.”