Hindu activist group Hindu Jagran Manch (HJM) is finding itself in isolation after both the BJP and the RSS distanced themselves from the outfit's ultimatum to schools in Aligarh against Christmas celebrations.
According to Jagdish Vasistha, RSS leader from Braj region of Aligarh, such statements from the HJM are not in consonance with the ideology of the RSS. “In India, everyone has the freedom to practise and profess their religion and the RSS does not support the stand taken by the HJM,” he said.
Vasistha's statement was followed by the city BJP unit president Devraj Singh asserting that the BJP is in no way supporting the HJM on this issue. Assailing the HJM, he added that people from all religions has fall right to celebrate their festivals, and no outfit has the right to oppose this.
HJM had irked a large section of the society after its recent warning to city schools not to compel their students to celebrate Christmas in the western Uttar Pradesh district. The statement had invited strong criticisms from the Aligarh Students’ Parent’s Association.
Meanwhile, the schools in the city have also made their stance clear that they will not succumb to the pressure tactics of the HJM. Christmas preparations are going on in various schools.
However, the HJM is unfazed by the developments. Its Aligarh unit head Sonu Kavita said there is no change in HJM’s stand. “If any school in the city compels any student to celebrate Christmas and the HJM receives complaints in this direction, our members will definitely take action against that school,” he said. However, he did not specify what actions would be taken in case of such situations.
The state police are also geared up to face any eventuality with the state ADG-law and order giving written instructions to police chiefs in this regard. It has been made clear that any person or body opposing such celebrations or preventing people from celebrating Christmas will be sternly dealt with.
