Swabhiman Jagran Sant Padayatra will make demand for a Hindu Rashtra

The problem of Love Jihad and illegal conversions by the missionaries have remained in Chhattisgarh for long. The yatra would educate people against these evils

The Akhil Bharatiya Sant Samiti will launch the 'Hindu Swabhiman Jagan Sant Padayatra,' on February 18 in Chhattisgarh.

The Yatra will cover 700 kilometres across Chhattisgarh and will pass through 33 districts. The Yatra will conclude on March 19.

Over 500 Hindu saints and sanyasis across the country will take part in the yatra, which will begin from four Shakti Geetha's located in four different corners of the state. These include Maa Mahamaya in Ramanujganj, Maa Danteshwari in Dantewada, Maa Bamleshwari in Dongargarh and Maa Chandrahsini near Sogda Ashram in Jasper.

Organiser while citing Chandrasekhar Varma, the state working president of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad said that the Hindu saints have decided to visit the remotest parts of the state through this Yarra. The VHP will wholeheartedly support them in their noble efforts, he said.

The yatra is being undertaken to educate the people about the menace of conversion, which has been rampant in the state for long. Varma said that the saints will visit the remotest parts of the state and stay with the common people. They are worried about the growing cases of Love Jihad and illegal conversions by the missionaries, he also said.

Through this yatra a buzz about a Hindu Rashtra too would be created. We are aware of the buzz and the VHP's position on the matter is already in public domain and clear. India should be declared a Hindu Rashtra under the constitutional framework, Varma said.

Recently Bageshwar Dham Maharaj of Madhya Pradesh recently announced that he would be holding meetings with prominent saints across the country to bring everyone on board to demand a Hindu Rashtra. He will also be joining the yatra, which would conclude on March 19 before a huge gathering in the capital of the state.

"The yatra is open to all. It is not intended for any political gain and everyone including the Congressmen also can join the yatra,' Ghanshyam Chaudhary, the co-coordinator of the padayatra said.

Hindu Rashtra:

The idea of Hindu Rashtra is linked to Hindutva which seeks to promote Hindu culture and values. Proponents of a Hindu Rashtra say that India's secular Constitution does not adequately reflect the country's Hindu identity and that the state must take steps to promote Hindutva.

The concept of Hindu Rashtra is based on the idea that India is a Hindi-majority country and that its cultural, political, social life should be guided by Hindu beliefs and practices.