CIA calls VHP, Bajrang Dal ‘religious militant organisations’

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, June 15

The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has called Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal “religious militant organisations”, a scathing description has drawn stinging criticism from the Hindu outfits.

In its latest edition of the ‘World Factbook’, the CIA has categorised the two far-right Hindu organisations under "political pressure groups"—a used to describe organisations that are either involved in politics or exert political pressure, but do not contest elections.

A furious VHP has demanded an apology from the intelligence agency. VHP’s joint general secretary Surendra Jain has called the categorisation “highly objectionable and far removed” and even “anti-India”, warning the CIA of protests unless it rectifies its entry.

“How can an organisation like CIA which is responsible for making of Osama Bin Ladin and endangering the world with jehadi extremism make such allegations against a nationalist organisation,” Jain said, calling for the central government to intervene.

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad is a member of the Sangh Parivar, a right-wing umbrella comprising Hindu organisations led by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.