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2002 report prepared by the ganization would protect any Shakha
Concerned Citizens Tribunal, a member martyring a Muslim, how his
civil society initiative consisting family would be looked after if anything
of India’s most eminent lawyers and acad- happened to him, and how all a member
emics, provided detailed information about needed to do in the event of being arrested
the education given in organizations affil- was to show his party membership card
iated to Sangh Parivar. The report de- and the police would immediately release
scribed how feelings of hatred were incul- him. Shakha members are also taught the
cated in young people undergoing train- importance of loyalty to the organization,
ing under the VHP and Bajrang Dal, the how loyalty to Hindutva ideology is more
leading members of the Hindutva move- important than anything else, that one
ment, how they can kill anyone opposing must be ready to commit all kinds of at-
them at a single nod from their leaders, tacks at whatever time of night one may be
rape and pillage houses, engage in looting woken up, and that one must never raise
and violate all the laws. any objections.

The report concentrated on young people The report stated that the most important
receiving training at the “shakhas” being part of the training given at the Shakhas is
given great guarantees. They are taught the gathering of information about
that, by means of the BJP government, Muslims living in the region. Young peo-
they will always be protected and need ple are taught to use weapons of all kinds,
therefore have no fear of the law or the se- especially the knife and sword, regarded as
curity forces. The report also contained ad- sacred by Hindus. The report went on to
missions from Shakha members who had say that young people are subjected to
undergone training by radical Hindu wide-ranging anti-Muslim brainwashing,
groups. One such, who had received train- and that the ultimate aim of the organiza-
ing at a “Shakha” affiliated to Bajrang Dal tion is to “build an army with a strong de-
provided a detailed description of secret sire to destroy Muslims, well armed, phys-
meetings, how methods of attacks were to ically powerful, filled with hatred and
be employed against Muslims, how the or- trained to carry out attacks of all kinds.. 72