Meerut : At a time when the Narendra Modi government has been targeted for its alleged failure to rein in Hindutva groups, Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Praveen Togadia on Monday rejected the discourse of development without “Hindu Rashtra”.

Addressing the Virat Hindu Mahasammelan here, he said development would be of no use if Hindus were not “safe” at home. Amid loud cheers of the 1,000-odd crowd, which braved rain and cold to hear him, he asked the “Hindus of the country to become one and prepare the way for Hindu Rashtra.”

Invoking “Hindu victimhood,” he said: “Neither our houses and businesses nor our daughters and sisters are safe in places such as Hyderabad, Bhopal and Meerut. Development is important, but what will be its use when Hindus won’t be there at homes, and like Hindus in Kashmir, they are thrown out of their motherland.”

“We have to ensure security, safety and respect to the 100-crore Hindus. So, we have to get organised and be ready for Hindu Rashtra,” he said.

He referred to the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center and said: “Look at what happened to the world famous World Trade Center. It was known for the idea of development, but it doesn’t exist now.”

Mr. Togadia said the VHP would focus on the movement against cow slaughter and conversion of religious minorities.

In an attempt to co-opt Dalits into Hindutva politics, Mr. Togadia asked all Hindus to make friends with Balmiki families.

But his remarks came in for strong criticism from Dalit families in Meerut who had threatened to convert to Islam after refused entry to a temple.