Hindu Janajagruti Samiti
| Formation | 13 October 2002 |
|---|---|
| Type | NGO |
| Purpose | Hindu civil rights |
| Headquarters | Goa, India |
Region served | India |
Executive Director | Dr Athavale |
| Affiliations | Sanatan Sanstha |
Volunteers | 300+[citation needed] |
| Website | www |
Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) is a Hindu organisation[1][2] operating globally established on 13 October 2002 by seekers[clarification needed] of Sanatan Sanstha. The organisation claims that it "stands as a common platform for all Hindus to unite breaking all the barriers" and its website carries the slogan "For establishment of the Hindu Nation".[3]
The HJS, whose name has been translated as Committee for the Hindu Renaissance,[4] has been described as a right-wing group and has protested numerous issues, including in 2011 both the screening of a film about the artist M. F. Husain[5] and the Prevention of Communal and Targeted Violence (Access to Justice and Reparations) Bill.[6] In 2010, the Deccan Herald described the HJS as an "obscure ... small band of fanatics" when reporting the HJS protest against the exhibition of depictions of Hindu deities by Jose Pereira that were to be displayed at the Xavier Centre of Historical Research in Goa, The HJS had considered three of the paintings to be "derogatory" nude artworks and demanded their removal. It subsequently demanded that the entire exhibition be cancelled without giving any reason.[7] Other protests in 2011-2012 focused on matters such as advertising that the HJS considers to be vulgar,[8] the promotion of LGBT tourism in Goa,[9] and decisions made in Russia that were perceived to be anti-Hindu.[10]
In June 2012, the HJS arranged a five-day All-India Hindu Convention at Ponda, Goa. This attracted attendance from a range of individuals and activists representing various groups and, according to its chief organiser, was intended to "... chalk out a blue print for the protection of dharma and establishment of a Hindu Nation".[11]
In August 2012, following civil disturbances in Mumbai, the group demanded a ban on what it called "fanatical" Muslim groups such as Raza Academy.[12]
Christophe Jaffrelot, a political scientist, considers the HJS to be an offshoot of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.[4]
A convention organised by HJS in 2014 was supported by prominent activists such as Paras Rajput of Hindu Helpline, Sanjiv Punalekar, the national secretary of Hindu Vidhidnya Parishad, and Rabindra Ghosh, lawyer and president of the Bangladesh Minority Watch.[13]
References
- ^ "Protest against communal violence bill". IBN Live. 27 July 2011. Retrieved 19 September 2011.
- ^ "How M.F. Husain, the 'Picasso of India,' tested free expression". The Christian Science Monitor. 9 June 2011. Retrieved 19 September 2011.
- ^ "About Hindu Janajagruti Samiti". Hindu Janajagruti Samiti. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
- ^ a b Jaffrelot, Christophe (2009). "Hindu Nationalism and the (Not So Easy) Art of Being Outraged: The Ram Setu Controversy". South Asia Multidisciplinary Academic Journal (3). Retrieved 21 August 2012.
- ^ Kamat, Prakash (28 November 2011). "Screening of film on Husain postponed after threats from right-wing groups". The Hindu. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
- ^ Sheth, Anisha (25 November 2011). "Empty rhetoric against anti-communal violence bill". The Hindu. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
- ^ Sequeira, Devika (29 July 2010). "Saffron fanatics target Goa centre over art exhibition". The Deccan Herald. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
- ^ "Raze all vulgar ad hoardings by Sept 28 or face agitation: HJS". The Times of India. 24 September 2011. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
- ^ "Goa govt drops session on LGBT tourism". The Times of India. 21 October 2011. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
- ^ "Revoke order to demolish temple in Russia: HJS". The Times of India. 3 April 2012. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
- ^ "Blueprint for 'Hindu Nation' to be chalked out in Goa". The Times of India. 10 June 2012. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
- ^ "Hindu groups demand ban on Muslim bodies". Newstrack. IANS. 13 August 2012. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
- ^ "Be prepared to deal with terror, Hindus urged". The Times of India. 24 June 2014.