Vishwa Hindu Parishad
The
Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP; "World Hindu Council" in
Hindi), is a
Hindu nationalist organization in
India. The leading spirit behind its formation was Swami
Chinmayananda; the founding religious leaders included the
Dalai Lama. It was founded in
1964. Its slogan is "Dharmo rakshiti rakshitah", or "By defending what is righteous, you will be protected." Its symbol is a
banyan tree.
It is agitating for the construction of a temple to Ram at the site of the destroyed Babri Mosque in Ayodhya.
See also: BJP, ethnic conflict in India, Sushil Kumarji, Hindutva