VHP vs BJP of India
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (World Hindu Council) or the VHP as it is commonly called is a non political, Hindu outfit that was formed in 1964, while the BJP is the political wing of Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) that was formed in 1980. Both the organizations work under the umbrella of RSS. While the VHP was created to unite the Hindus under a strong platform, the BJP was created to carry forward the aim of nationalism and making India a Hindu nation.
Being parts of the broad umbrella called RSS; the ideologies of both the VHP and the BJP are almost same. BJP believes in strong Indian Nationalism and ancient Hindu culture. It firmly believes in a nationalist agenda with strong national defense. Neither the RSS nor the VHP influence the running of the BJP, but as most of the members of the BJP are also members of the RSS, there is bound to be similarities in the views of both the parties.
VHP was created to propagate, consolidate and strengthen Hindu Dharma. It sought to protect Hindu values of life and prevent conversions from Hindu religion to Christianity or Islam. VHP is dead against conversions and seeks to bring back into its fold all those who have been converted from Hinduism to Islam or Christianity. The party is strongly in favor of constructing a Ram Temple at the site of demolished Babri masjid. Though officially BJP also endorses the view, it has had to mellow its stand in the wake of coalition politics.
VHP has been critical of BJP for going slow on the Ram Temple issue. It also criticizes BJP for not doing enough on the issues of conversion and bringing in uniform civil code, of which BJP is also a strong supporter.
| Summary
Both VHP and BJP are organizations of RSS thus sharing same ideology VHP is non political while BJP is the political wing of RSS VHP talks of only Hindus while BJP, being a national party advocates nationalism. |