Its trishul diksha programmes mired in controversy and court-battles, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad has quietly changed its modus operandi. The focus is now on decentralised dikshas.The new strategy is to avoid media-glare and the attention of adversary regimes in various states. VHP spokesman Veereshwar Dwivedi told The Indian Express that they would now have ‘‘village-level diksha programmes’’. When asked if it meant that high-profile massive diksha programmes were out for good, Dwivedi said: ‘‘No, they would continue alongside. The village-level deekshas only mark an extension and intensification of the programme.’’ However, it remains to be seen if the RSS-affiliate persists with mass-deekshas at major towns. At this stage, the VHP would obviously not risk its pride by conceding that the arrest and externment of its general secretary Pravin Togadia has had a sobering effect on the organisation.‘‘We have, after all, held two big programmes in Rajasthan even after Togadia’s arrest,’’ Dwivedi said, adding: ‘‘We are not worried over the oppressive measures of our opponents.’’ On the legal hurdles in VHP’s way, he said: ‘‘We would fight for our democratic rights in the court too.’’Through with the Ayodhya-march, it is time for stock-taking. The VHP is currently holding block-level meetings to convert the participants in the march in to its permanent cadre to ‘‘consolidate’’ the organisation. The conferences are aimed at ideological indoctrination of the new recruits.The Parishad’s youth-arm, Bajrang Dal, which has been in the background for quite some time now, too awaits a major orientation programme. Over 1,500 RSS supporters deputed to the youth-arm of the VHP are scheduled to gather at the Sangh Headquarters in Nagpur from December 24-29 for the same.The Dal, which is currently suffering from stagnation, has acquired the image of a lunatic fringe of the Sangh Parivar over the years. And according to sources, the RSS leadership is keen on undoing both.Dal chief Prakash Sharma said: ‘‘The forthcoming camp is the first such exercise since our inception. Equally significant is the selection of the venue.’’ The hallmark of the crash course would be an address by RSS General secretary Mohan Bhagwat. All senior VHP functionaries will also be present at the camp. Working president Ashok Singhal will inaugurate the camp.
