1. Description

2. References

The Ekatmata Yatras were a series of pilgrimages and political strategies used to promote Hindu Nationalism. The strategy involved the mobilization of large pilgrimages (Yatras) to gather support for pro-Hindu political positions. The concept of the Ekatmata Yatra was formulated by Vishva Hindu Parishad in the early 1980s.^[1]

Description

During the 1960s, the rise of Hindu nationalism in Indian politics resulted in several Hindu-supportive political parties and organizations growing in size and influence. One of these political parties was Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), a right-wing organization which mobilized support for Hindu politicians and policies.^[1] In 1983, VHP decided to organize a widespread series of political pilgrimages across India; these Yatras were intended to galvanize public support for causes that VHP supported. In particular, the pilgrimages were organized in such a way as to be Pan-Hindu, allowing members of all castes to participate^[2]; this was in keeping with one of VHP's long-held opinions that the caste system should be suppressed.^[2] The march was also focused around that idea that, by reigniting interest in Hindu religious rights, Hindus would be less susceptible to conversion attempts by Christians and Muslims.^[2][3][4]

The first pilgrimage (later referred to as the First Ekatmata Yatra, translatable to "Pilgrimage of One Soulness"^[2]) began in November 1983, and involved thousands of Hindus undertaking a pilgrimage to various holy sites.^[2] The pilgrims formed three processions; one from Kathmandu to Rameshwaram, a second from Gangasagar to Somnath temple, and a third from Haridwar to Kanyakumari.^[2] These three main pilgrim parties were supplemented by dozens of smaller groups, and carried relics and idols with them.^[2] Many pilgrims carried water from the scared Ganges river during the journey, and the columns of travelers often stopped at Hindu temples and holy sites to gather more sacred water.^[2] All of the pilgrimage parties eventually congregated in Nagpur.^[2] The event involved Hindus from Burma, Nepal, India, Bhutan, and Bangladesh.^[3][5]

The first of the Ekatmata Yatras was well-received by many practitioners of Hinduism, and as such the prestige of the VHP was increased.^[3] Soon after the end of the marches, the organization was able to use the influence its high-profile pilgrimage had garnered to involve the organization in the ongoing Ayodhya dispute.^[2][3] VHP organized the Second Ekatmata Yatra in 1995^[3], and the organization led two further pilgrimages (known as the 1996 Amarnath Yatra and the Baba Buddha Amarnath Yatra) in 1996 and 2005.^[3]

References

• Sir Richard Rich
• Sir Richard Rodney Bennett
• Sir Richard Sackville
• Sir Richard Shelley
• Sir Richard Southey
• Sir Richard Southwell
• Sir Richard Stafford Cripps
• Sir Richard St. George
• Sir Richard Strachan
• Sir Richard Strachan, 4th Baronet
• Sir Richard Strachan, 6th Baronet
• Sir Richard Sullivan, 1st Baronet
• Sir Richard Sutton
• Sir Richard Sutton, 1st Baronet
• Sir Richard Tempest, 3rd Baronet
• Sir Richard Turnbull
• Sir Richard Vassar-Smith, 3rd Baronet
• Sir Richard Vernon, 3rd Baronet
• Sir Richard Vyvyan, 1st Baronet
• Sir Richard Waldegrave
• Sir Richard Wells, 1st Baronet
• Sir Richard Weston of Sutton Place
• Sir Richard Williams-Bulkeley, 10th Baronet
• Sir Richard Wingfield
• Sir Richard Winn Livingstone