Vishwa Hindu Parishad

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP; "World Hindu Council" in Hindi), is a Hindu nationalist organization in India. The leading spirit behind its formation was Swami Chinmayananda; the founding religious leaders included the Dalai Lama. It was founded in 1964. Its slogan is "Dharmo rakshiti rakshitah", or "By defending what is righteous, you will be protected." Its symbol is a banyan tree.

It is agitating for the construction of a temple to Ram at the site of the destroyed Babri Mosque in Ayodhya.

See also: BJP, ethnic conflict in India, Sushil Kumarji, Hindutva