VHP opposes scholarship to minority students

Dehra Dun, June 22 (UNI) Expressing ''resentment'' over the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs' approval to a Centrally-sponsored scheme of merit-cum-means-based scholarship to the students belonging to the minority community, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad today warned to launch a nationwide stir if the government did not withdraw it.

''Scholarship ought to be given to all poor students, irrespective of their caste and community,'' VHP International General Secretary Praveen Togadia said in a press conference here.

He said financial assistance based on caste and community was not at all fair and warned that the VHP would vehemently oppose the move and take recourse to the nationwide agitation.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi must know that no party could remain in the power for a longer period neglecting members of the majority community, he said.

Mr Togadia expressed his concern over increasing terrorist activities and said the involvement of Bangladesh besides Pakistan has widened the terrorist network in the country.

''If the government fails to take any effective measure to curb the menace of terrorism, it may lead to economic disaster,'' he said.

He said the country is coming up as an international economic power and the terrorism could have a bearing on its economy.

Mr Togadia asserted that the government should refrain from Muslim appeasement. Citing the example of Afzal Guru incident, he said it was a clear indication that the Muslim appeasement has turned to ''Jehadis appeasement''.

''The government lacks determination in curbing this problem," he alleged, adding most of the times the government has failed to do so.

On VHP's plan to fight back missionaries' enticement strategy in converting people to Christainity, Mr Togadia said: ''The VHP is countering it through education mission as illiterates are the most vulnerable.'' UNI