The upcoming Mahakumbh in Prayagraj is shaping up to be more than just a religious festival; it will also serve as a stage for political and social discussions. The Vishva Hindu Parishad, or VHP, a Hindu organization, has scheduled multiple events from January 24th to 27th. These events include a key meeting of their central guiding committee and a large gathering of Hindu saints. These meetings are likely to increase calls to get rid of the Waqf Board and intensify the focus on the disputes in Kashi and Mathura.
These VHP gatherings are expected to hold strategic importance. Many believe the VHP will use the large crowds of the Mahakumbh to promote their political goals. The central guiding committee will meet first on January 24th. Following this, the gathering of saints will take place on January 25th and 26th. These meetings are expected to create momentum for the organization’s demands. Specifically, they will place a major focus on abolishing the Waqf Board, which manages Islamic religious properties. Additionally, they will likely use this opportunity to further their agenda regarding the ongoing religious disputes at Kashi and Mathura.
According to a source familiar with the situation, the VHP’s events during the Mahakumbh serve more than just spiritual purposes, as the organization intends to assert their views. The VHP sees the event as a perfect opportunity to bring their agenda into the public spotlight. The meetings and the gathering of saints are expected to set the foundation for future actions and legal cases concerning the Waqf Board and the religious sites in Kashi and Mathura. Therefore, these events will draw significant national attention, turning the Mahakumbh into not just a spiritual gathering, but also a major political event.