Missionaries converting Hindus with threats of Naxalite reprisals

Posted January 5, 2006
December 28, 1998
Rediff

Vishwa Hindu Parishad chief Ashok Singhal has accused Christian missionaries of converting people by threatening them with Naxalite reprisals.

Speaking at a function at Jamdoli near Jaipur, Rajasthan, on the eve of the three-day meeting of the VHP central executive committee and board of trustees, Singhal said the local people were being terrorised into conversion by different Christian missionaries and that Naxalites were being used as a kawach (shield).

All those who dared to obstruct them were told that they would be gunned down by Naxalites, the VHP leader alleged.

Singhal also made a veiled attack on Congress president Sonia Gandhi saying that an emerging leader of the country was also influenced by 'Christian forces'. He said the threat before the country from vidharmis (apostates) was currently at its climax.

The VHP leader also saw political motives behind the conferring of the Nobel prize on an Indian, saying it was part of a strategy to facilitate Christian missionaries to step up their activities through more involvement in spreading education and literacy.