VHP Body Steers Clear of Sambhal Row, Focuses on ‘Reclaiming’ Kashi, Mathura

New Delhi: Amid the ongoing controversy surrounding the Sambhal issue, a key body of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has chosen to distance itself from the matter, instead shifting its focus toward the ‘reclamation’ of Kashi and Mathura—two significant religious sites in Hinduism.

Avoiding the Sambhal Dispute

The VHP’s religious wing, which plays a crucial role in strategizing temple-related campaigns, has refrained from making any statements regarding the Sambhal row, a topic that has sparked political and religious debates. Insiders suggest that the organization does not want to get entangled in a fresh controversy while it intensifies its push for Kashi (Varanasi’s Gyanvapi complex) and Mathura’s Krishna Janmabhoomi.

A senior VHP leader, on the condition of anonymity, said, “Our priority remains Kashi and Mathura. We do not wish to dilute our efforts by engaging in unrelated matters.”

The ‘Reclaiming’ of Kashi and Mathura

Following the completion of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, the VHP and its affiliated bodies have ramped up their agenda to reclaim the Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi and the Shahi Idgah Mosque in Mathura, both of which are contested religious sites. Hindu groups claim that temples once stood at these locations before being allegedly altered during Mughal rule.

The Kashi Vishwanath-Gyanvapi dispute is currently in the courts, with Hindu petitioners demanding full access and control over the site. Similarly, Mathura’s Krishna Janmabhoomi case has gained traction, with legal battles over the mosque adjacent to the Shri Krishna Janmasthan temple complex.

Political and Legal Ramifications

Experts believe that the VHP’s deliberate distancing from the Sambhal issue signals a strategic move—keeping its focus on historically significant temple movements that have widespread Hindu support. With the 2024 general elections approaching, religious issues are likely to remain at the forefront of political discourse.

Meanwhile, opposition parties have accused the VHP and its affiliates of fueling religious tensions. However, the VHP maintains that its actions are aligned with faith and history, not politics.

As legal battles unfold in Kashi and Mathura, the coming months are expected to witness intensified campaigns, debates, and possible judicial interventions regarding these religious sites.