Hindus being discriminated by govt to seek Muslim votes: VHP

New Delhi, Nov 17 (UNI) Calling for immediate intervention by the Supreme Court over the human rights violation of those arrested by the Anti-Terror Squad (ATS), the VHP today said UPA government at the Centre and the Maharashtra government were defaming the Army, 'sants' and the Hindu community to beget Muslim votes.

In order that good sense prevails upon the government, the VHP would organise an 'andolan' (mass movement) on November 26, to be anchored by 'sants', in Delhi that would forewarn the government against defaming the Army and 'sants', said VHP general secretary Pravin Togadia addressing the press.

''Demoralisation of the Indian armed forces, which Pakistan could not do over the decades was now, intentionally or unintentionally, is being done by this government by framing its personnel into dubious cases and through false propaganda.'' Also, with its myopic policies the government denigrated the institution of CBI in the Aarushi Talwar case and now with its propaganda against Army and 'sants' it was pushing the venerated ATS of Maharashtra into disrepute, he said.

''Presently no one believes the CBI because of the way it has been used by the government for its selfish ends, tomorrow no one would trust the ATS even when it cracks a genuine case and pins down the real culprit in an act of terror.'' Stressing that the VHP had always stood by the armed forces and the police in its drive against anti-nationals and those involved in terrorist activities, whether in Jammu and Kashmir or elsewhere, Dr Togadia said the parochial strains of this government was discrediting established institutions for its ''vote bank politics''.

''We demand that the human rights of all the eight arrested by the ATS be restored and all those against whom they have no evidence be released.'' The VHP leader also said a country-wide agitation would soon be launched, in which more than 50 lakh former army men would participate, to warn the government against the conspiracy it was hatching to defame the 'sants' and to demoralise the Army.

UNI AN PD CS1830