Traditions take long time to change, says Togadia

VHP leader Pravin Togadia today said traditions take a long time to change and getting angry over them is no solution, comments coming in the backdrop of ongoing campaigns in Maharashtra seeking entry of women into certain places of worship in the state.
"It is a matter of tradition whether to allow (women) inside a temple or a dargah. It is wrong to get angry over the issue as it takes hundreds of years to change traditions," he told reporters here.
The VHP International Working President was responding to questions regarding campaigns launched by Bhumata Brigde, an outfit led by activist Trupti Desai, and others, for entry of women into inner sanctum of Ahmednagar Shani Temple, Trimbakeshwar Temple in Nashik, and Mumbai's Haji Ali Dargah.

"Instead of getting angry over the issue of women's entry into temples or dargah, what is needed is involvement of local civilians and trusts to sort out the matter," said Togadia, who was here to take part in a VHP programme.
"It will take time to change traditions. There was a time when 'ghunghat' (veil) system was widespread in the country. This is not the case now," he said.
The VHP leader expressed hopes that the Modi government, which has a comfortable majority in the Lok Sabha, will enact a law to facilitate construction of a Ram Temple at Ayodhya.

He later spoke at a training programme organised for 'health ambassadors' of 'India Health Line' - a network of doctors for providing free medical care to the needy.
The initiative was launched by Togadia in 2014 in several cities for facilitating a connect between the poor patients and medical fraternity.
Togadia, himself a cancer surgeon by qualification, said increasing prevalence of lifestyle diseases is a matter of concern.