Vishwa Hindu Parishad national joint general secretary Surendra Kumar Jain announced a nationwide anti-conversion initiative, and said VHP representatives would soon meet Chief Ministers across the country with a proposed “Model Anti-Conversion Law” aimed at preventing religious conversions through coercion or fraudulent means.

Addressing media persons here on Thursday, Dr. Jain also cautioned the Telangana government against the misuse of the proposed Hate Speech Bill, alleging that it could be used to target Hindu voices. He warned that the VHP would launch a State-wide agitation if the legislation was implemented in an unfair manner.

“The VHP will continue its struggle from the streets to the courts to safeguard the cultural and religious rights of Hindu society,” he asserted while voicing strong concerns over cow slaughter, temple administration and the protection of Sanatana Dharma.

He alleged that the implementation of the 1977 Cow Slaughter Prohibition Act in Telangana had been ineffective and claimed that no convictions had been secured under the law over the past five decades. He announced that the VHP would constitute a legal cell to recommend amendments to the State government for stricter enforcement of the law.

The VHP leader also condemned what he termed as “anti-Hindu rhetoric” by certain political leaders referring to recent remarks of Minister Konda Surekha, and said the Hindu community would not tolerate insults directed at Sanatana traditions.

Dr. Jain demanded that temples be freed from government control and managed by Hindu society. He stated that temple revenues should be utilised exclusively for Hindu religious and cultural activities. “We believe in the socialisation, not governmentisation of temples,” he remarked.

Akarapu Keshavaraju, B. Narasimha Murthy, Dr. Ravinuthala Shashidhar, T. Yadagiri Rao, G. Ramesh, Chintala Venkanna and M. Subash Chander were among present on the occasion.