Togadia defends Bajrang Dal’s self-defence camp

NOIDA: Hindu hardliner and international working president of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) Praveen Togadia on Saturday defended the self defence camp of Bajrang Dal claiming that it’s aim was to keep the youth healthy.

At the ending ceremony of the seven-day-long self defence camp of Bajrang Dal Meerut region, Togadia visited the Saraswati Shishu Mandir as chief guest. During interaction with the media, he said the matter is unnecessarily hyped.

“...The number of malnourished and sick people have risen to 40 crore in this country. Such camps of Bajrang Dal are an effort to keep the young ones fit. A healthy India will only become a strong India. Most of the youth are getting sick because they don’t exercise. The Bajrang Dal is promoting exercise, yoga and self defence. People should understand that this camp is serving the country and not creating trouble,” said Togadia.

However, Togadia skirted the issue when asked about the Ram Mandir.“You should ask the questions (related to Ram Mandir) to the government.Theyareinpower,”he said. Agitated over media reports about showcasing Muslims as terrorists during a drill in Faizabad, which eventually led to the arrest of theorganizerof theBajrangDal’s camp, some of Togadia’s supporters misbehaved with mediapersons. They were also not allowed to shoot the event where Togadia was addressing the participants of the self defence camp.

“People and government have a lot of misconception about Bajrang Dal. I would like to request the UP government to work towards providing more jobs to the youth. We are against communal tension. We want to assure the government that we are with them on the path of development and justice,” he said.