VHP leader Shankar Gaikar sparks row, says Kashmiri Muslim youths should not be recruited in security forces

Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Shankar Gaikar has stoked a controversy by demanding that the recruitment of Kashmiri Muslim youth in the security forces be stopped.

Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, Gaikar, who is the zonal head of the VHP for Maharashtra and Goa, made several other controversial statements. Gaikwar even went on to allege that Amarnath Yatra's "hero" driver Salim Shaikh was given more importance than the Hindu conductor.

"There have been incidents of theft of weapons and ammunitions from the security forces. These weapons are used against our own forces. So, the recruitment of Muslim youths from Kashmir should stop," Gaikar demanded.

Gaikar also demanded that the educational and other facilities provided to Muslims in the valley should be stopped.

"Govt has several educational and other schemes for the people in valley who are actually the supporters of the Jehadi ideology. The laptops that are provided to them are used for terror activities. This should also stop," Gaikar added.

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader also compared Amaranth Yatra attack hero Salim Shaikh with the "Hindu" bus conductor.

"No doubt, he did a good a job. But you (media) should also talk about the bus conductor. The driver was not even shot at. The conductor who received three bullets injuries bravely shut the bus doors in time. He hasn't got any money from the govt,"Gaikar said giving a communal colour to the acts of bravado.

The organization has also demanded to shut down shops/ businesses owned by Kashmiri Muslims in tourists destinations.

"Sale of Kashmiri shawls should be banned in the country so that people supporting terror would get a message. You will have to close the nose to open the mouth. They will only realise this when their brothers in the shawl business starve. We will have to take such strict measures." Gaikar said.