VHP today disapproved controversial remarks of Sadhvi Prachi criticising Mahatma Gandhi and distanced itself from the incidents of violence against Christians in West Bengal and Haryana saying authorities should investigate them and act as per law.
VHP general secretary Champat Rai said Sadhvi Prachi should not have made the remarks against Gandhi, who is revered by the nation for his contribution to the freedom struggle, and said someone wearing a saint's dress should abstain from making such comments against national icons.
He also said VHP does not involve itself in controversies involving attacks on Christians be it in Haryana, where an under-construction church was demolished, or in West Bengal, where an elderly nun was raped.
"Sadhus should abstain from criticising a great personality like Gandhi as it is against the ethos of Indian traditions. It is not right. It is also not proper to use such language against those who are no more alive.
"We may differ with Gandhi's thoughts, but to doubt his love for the nation and contribution to the freedom struggle is like a sin. Gandhi was a noble man and a great soul. We in the Sangh fondly remember him," he said.
On the alleged rape of a nun, he said, it is not the handiwork of VHP workers while pointing out that the names that have cropped up may be involved with an independent organisation of West Bengal.
On the incidents in which the name of Hinudtva forces have cropped up, he said, "We never inspire our workers for doing anything wrong. It has become a fashion to link any incident with VHP. We do not support any wrongdoing."
"All incidents should be investigated by the authorities and act as per law against the accused. We are confident that our workers do not do anything wrong," he said.
Sadhvi Prachi yesterday sparked a controversy as she alleged that Mahatma Gandhi was a "British agent" and his contribution towards independence of the country was "negligible", days after former PCI chairman Markandey Katju levelled same allegation.
"It was only due to sole effort of Bhagat Singh, Chandra Shekhar Azad, Ram Prashad Bismil and Subhash Chandra Bose that India was freed from the clutches of Britishers," she told reporters at a hotel on the occasion Hindu Dharam Sammelan in Ghaziabad.
