New Delhi: On Sunday (April 12), at Ayyappa Park in Hastsal, Uttam Nagar (West Delhi), the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) – an affiliate of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh – carried out a large-scale distribution of trishuls (tridents) among the youth.The VHP distributed 1,700 trishuls among the cadres of its youth wing, the Bajrang Dal. The organisation has consistently referred to this initiative as ‘Trishul Deeksha [initiation]’. According to them, the programme is intended to administer a pledge focused on sanskar (values), seva (service) and suraksha (security)’; however, on the ground, its implications appear far more complex.Speaking to The Wire Hindi, Sanjeev Kumar, the VHP (Indraprastha) chief of publicity and outreach, stated that plans are in place to organise similar events across the entirety of Delhi, with an estimated 30,000-plus trishuls likely to be distributed through these initiatives.It is worth noting that this ‘Trishul Deeksha’ programme took place after a local criminal incident had escalated into communal tension. Ayyappa Park is located just a short distance from the spot where 26-year-old Tarun Kumar was murdered on the day of Holi (March 4).What began as a minor dispute soon took on the character of communal tension. A Muslim family stands accused of the murder – a family whose home was first vandalised by unidentified individuals and subsequently subjected to a demolition drive by the municipal corporation, and who have now fled the area.The home of the family accused in the Tarun murder case. A female police officer stationed outside the lane stated that there has been a round-the-clock police deployment throughout the entire area since the incident.A heavy police presence remains at the scene of the incident and in the surrounding areas. Barricades have been erected in every street. Despite this, just a short distance away, the VHP organised a trident distribution ceremony, delivered inflammatory speeches and attempted to mobilise sentiments.When The Wire Hindi questioned VHP state president Kapil Khanna regarding the choice of venue for the event, he stated: “Uttam Nagar was chosen simply because it was this district’s turn; there is no other reason.”However, the parents and grandfather of Tarun were also present on the VHP’s dais. His father Memraj and grandfather Man Singh also underwent the ‘Trishul Deeksha’ and were presented with tridents by the VHP. Man Singh even delivered a speech from the VHP’s platform.Tarun’s grandfather Man Singh delivers a speech from the VHP’s platform.Speaking to The Wire Hindi, both individuals stated that they are receiving full support from the Bajrang Dal. Demanding justice, they called for the perpetrators to be hanged and further suggested that, if possible, they should be subjected to an ‘encounter’.In a press release regarding the event, the VHP described Tarun as someone who was ‘martyred in a Jihadi attack’.Minors among those receiving trishulsSeveral minors were among those who received the trishuls. Rishabh, a fifth-grade student aged around ten, arrived at the event with his 11-year-old brother; both had trishuls slung over their shoulders. The two children stated that they reside in the Indraprastha area of Delhi. Similarly, 12-year-old Pankaj from Uttam Nagar also received a trishul.When The Wire Hindi questioned Khanna, the VHP’s provincial president, regarding this matter, he stated: “The trishul deeksha is in accordance with the Constitution. The trishul is merely a symbol that represents service, cultural values and protection.”Minors participate in the Trishul Deeksha programme.However, the oath administered at the conclusion of the event included phrases such as “India is a Hindu nation” – sentiments that run counter to the fundamental spirit of the Constitution. Interestingly, the very same oath also reiterated the pledge to “protect the Constitution”.Khanna likened the trishul deeksha to school admission. According to him, it serves as the first step toward joining the Bajrang Dal, where young people are administered a solemn pledge to protect their nation and religion.Inflammatory speeches and indirect barbsRemembering Tarun from the podium, Surendra Gupta, the Delhi provincial secretary of the VHP, spoke in an aggressive tone: “A pack of jackals, forming a mob, kills the cubs of lions. From this very platform, I wish to declare that regarding the young man who has passed away – no mother ever nursed a son capable of coming forward to fight him single-handedly and unarmed.”He further added: “The nature of a Hindu is peaceful. He worships trees, mountains and rivers; he even feeds flour to ants. Yet, you seek to intimidate that very Hindu … That Hindu will not be intimidated. From this day forth, the Hindu will stand firm, holding this trishul – which has been distributed here today – in his hands with unwavering resolve.”Surendra Gupta, the VHP’s Delhi provincial secretary, says: “Security is not obtained by begging; security is attained through strength and organisation”.During the programme, a sharp and aggressive tone was clearly audible in the speeches delivered from the stage, which frequently took indirect aim at Muslims.Congratulating the ‘Hindu society’ of Uttam Nagar, Gupta remarked: “When society awakens, circumstances change.”Referencing an old political statement, he asserted: “Those who once stood in Hyderabad and threatened to have the police removed for 15 minutes are today pleading for security, saying, ‘We wish to celebrate our festival; deploy the police for 15 minutes.’ This is the power of Hindu society.”Without explicitly naming anyone, he stated: “Years ago, when their ancestors arrived here, this area was safe; now, it has become unsafe.” Citing an example from Trinagar in Delhi, he claimed that “after a few houses were sold to Muslims”, the atmosphere of the locality shifted, and Hindus began to live in fear of displacement.Through this anecdotal narrative, he conveyed a message to “stand firm” rather than “flee”, and to “put up a fight”.From left: Tarun’s father, his mother, Bajrang Dal state convener Jagjit (Goldie) and Man Singh.Continuing in this vein, Khanna paid tribute to Tarun from the stage, hailing him as a “martyr”. Addressing the Bajrang Dal activists, he declared: “The message from my Bajrangis is this: fall in line, or we will set you straight.”Referencing director Aditya Dhar’s film Dhurandhar, Khanna quoted a dialogue: “If you provoke us, we won’t spare you.”He asserted that the Bajrangis of Indraprastha – the name by which the VHP refers to Delhi – are delivering precisely this message to “those of other faiths”: “If you provoke us, we won’t spare you.”Similarly, addressing the Bajrang Dal cadres, the provincial convener Jagjit (aka Goldie) stated that this is “not a one-day resolution”, but rather a pledge to confront and triumph over “anti-national and anti-religious forces” wherever they pose a challenge.He further asserted that this very resolve provides the “strength to achieve victory” over issues such as “love jihad”, “land jihad” and religious conversions.The banner on the shamiana reads: “We revere both the Buddha and war (yuddh)”.VHP central joint secretary Manoj Verma addressed the Bajrang Dal cadres, referring to them as “soldiers”. Recalling the “pivotal role” played by the VHP and the Bajrang Dal in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, he remarked: “Back then, we took an oath that we would build the temple right there. Today, Ram Lalla resides exactly where he was before – and where he shall remain forever.”Verma continued: “Today, some individuals are talking about constructing a new Babri structure. Such people need to be made to realise their true standing. The one that existed is no more; if you attempt to build another, you too shall cease to exist on the soil of India. Only one slogan shall prevail: ‘Jai Shri Ram’. If you wish to live on this land, you must align yourself with the spirit of this nation.”He declared that “the task of establishing the principles of Lord Ram within this country belongs to the Bajrang Dal”. He added that they regard “Ram as their ideal” and conduct themselves in accordance with his principles. “We know how to fold our hands in supplication before the ocean to seek a path; yet, when a path is not granted, we also know how to string an arrow to our bow and forge ahead.”In his address, citing references from the Mahabharata and Lord Krishna, Verma stated: “We must comprehend the Mahabharata; we must grasp the message of Krishna. Whatever is requisite for the establishment of dharma must be undertaken. We are the descendants of Ram and Krishna; therefore, we must remain ever-prepared to fulfill our duty.”Police presence and ‘controlled aggression’The large banner displayed on the programme stage bore the inscription: ‘We revere both the Buddha and War’ – featuring an image of Gautama Buddha on one side and the Sudarshan Chakra on the other. This symbolic juxtaposition renders the direction and message of the entire event almost unequivocally clear.There was a heavy police deployment throughout the entire event. The area was barricaded and traffic routes were diverted. A riot control vehicle was stationed directly in front of the gate. Assistant commissioner of police Sanjeev Kumar, who was present at the scene, stated that approximately 100 police personnel, along with some paramilitary troops, had been deployed.After the event concluded, a correspondent overheard Suman Jha – the joint secretary of the VHP’s western division – remarking that the distribution of tridents would not be limited solely to this specific event. An individual from Uttam Nagar, who arrived late and missed out on receiving a trident, was reassured that there was no cause for concern, as tridents would also be distributed during Hanuman Chalisa recitations scheduled to be held at various locations in the coming days.Suman Jha (circled in blue) takes oath during the Trishul Deeksha ceremony.Pointing to the presence of the police, Jha also stated that it was not feasible to distribute such a large number of tridents at this venue; therefore, the distribution would continue through separate events.What happened after the speeches?Following the speeches, a collective oath-taking ceremony involving the tridents was held during the event. Raising the tridents in their hands, the attendees repeated the oath administered from the stage.In the oath, while invoking Lord Hanuman and their ancestors, the participants pledged to protect Hindu religion, culture and society. Furthermore, they expressed their commitment to safeguarding the Constitution and their motherland. The oath also affirmed that, regarding India as a ‘Hindu nation’, they would defend it until their very last breath and would dedicate their lives to the security, honour and reconstruction of ‘Bharat Mata’ (Mother India).Additionally, as constituents of the Bajrang Dal, the participants resolved to remain steadfastly loyal to their country and religion, and to engage in selfless service.The programme concluded with a collective recitation of the Hanuman Chalisa; sharing a video of the event, the VHP posted on social media: “Just a few days ago – in this very Uttam Nagar, at this very Ayyappa Park – warnings were being issued that the ‘Hanuman Chalisa’ posed a threat to communal harmony! Today, however, as the Bajrangis filled the atmosphere with the resounding chants of the Hanuman Chalisa, everyone appeared completely enraptured!”Men return after the conclusion of the programme.The trend of weapon distributionIt is noteworthy that the distribution of tridents in Delhi is nothing new. In December 2024 – just prior to the Delhi assembly elections – the VHP revived this campaign after a long hiatus. At that time, the organisation set a target of distributing 50,000 tridents through more than 200 separate events.In January 2025, as part of a ‘Shastra Deeksha Samaroh’ (Weapon Initiation Ceremony), the VHP’s women’s wing, the Durga Vahini, distributed daggers to 20,000 girls. Prior to this, the activity had remained largely dormant since 2012 or 2015, but it has now been reactivated on a large scale.This article was translated from the Hindi original by Naushin Rehman. All photos by Ankit Raj.