BJP document ‘forced’ religious conversion, NGO on par with Maoists

NEW DELHI: The BJP’s indoctrination document has identified ‘forced’ religious conversion and NGOs that receive foreign funds as internal threats the nation faces and has categorised them along with the threat from Maoists.

The document prepared by the central BJP to train 1.5 million cadres from over 100 million party members, recruited from across the country earlier this year, highlights religious conversion as a “serious domestic threat” and a “conspiracy” by Christian and ‘Jihadi’ activities.

“For several years, a conspiracy has been on to disturb the demographic structure of the country through Christian and Jihadi activities thriving with the help from funds and force. This is a serious domestic threat for us,” the document said.

“There has been so much religious conversion in some of our states that it has disturbed the d e m o g r a p h i c structure. There is pent-up anger and agitation in such states that can burst out anytime,” the document warns, without naming the states.

The document seeks to ‘enlighten’ BJP cadres on allegations of foreign support for the activities. “Foreign agencies are also involved in religious conversions through the use of finance and muscle power,” the document alleged and expressed concern that “forced religious conversions are a serious issue as it threatens to disturb our peace and harmony”. The document laments alleged “tacit support” to religious conversion by some political parties in the country.

The government had distanced itself from support to RSS-affiliated organisation’s ‘re-conversion’ drive late last year but the inclusion of this point in the ruling party’s indoctrination document suggests vigilantism from the saffron ranks against religious conversion.

The BJP indoctrination document frames NGOs receiving funds from foreign donors as another domestic threat before the country.

Document hails Rajnath’s recent curbs on NGOs

The BJP training paper highlights Rajnath Singh-led home ministry’s crackdown on NGOs as a welcome step by the BJP government.

“There are thousands of NGOs which receive funds from abroad with the sole purpose of disturbing the national ambience and put an obstacle against growth and specially misguide people in tribal regions,” the document said.

“Earlier, there were several NGOs which tried to put a spanner against developmental projects which included road, irrigation and mining projects in tribal areas” the document said.