VHP Condemns Nagaland Baptist Church Council Over 'Misplaced' Allegations Against RSS
The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) issued a sharp rebuke on Wednesday, targeting the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) for its recent statement concerning an Assam Rifles operation at a church in Nagaland. The VHP asserted that the NBCC's remarks, which implicated the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and VHP, were "misplaced" and could potentially fuel social divisions within the community.
Background of the Controversy
This response follows the NBCC's condemnation of a late-night security operation conducted at the Samziuram Baptist Church in Peren district on March 9. The NBCC had described the raid as a violation of religious sanctity and, in its official statement, accused organizations such as the RSS and VHP of promoting and justifying acts of violence. The VHP, however, has firmly denied any involvement in the incident.
VHP President Alok Kumar's Statement
Alok Kumar, the international president of the VHP, addressed the media, stating that the NBCC's reference to the RSS and VHP was "completely out of context." He emphasized that neither organization played any role in the Assam Rifles operation. Kumar characterized the NBCC's comments as an attempt to "create enmity between different sections of society," warning that such rhetoric could undermine communal harmony.
Kumar further elaborated on the situation, citing local inputs that he claimed indicated no harassment or damage occurred during the security operation. According to him, village authorities and the pastor had conveyed that the incident was handled without any disruption to religious activities. He reiterated that the RSS and VHP are "law-abiding and patriotic organisations" dedicated to social service, particularly among marginalized communities across India.
Call for Restraint and Caution
In a strong denunciation, the VHP labeled the NBCC statement as "mischievous and dishonest." The organization urged all parties to exercise restraint and cautioned against transforming a security-related incident into a religious or ideological controversy. The VHP stressed the importance of maintaining peace and avoiding actions that could escalate tensions in the region.
This development highlights ongoing sensitivities around security operations and religious institutions in Nagaland, with the VHP positioning itself as a defender of social cohesion against what it perceives as baseless allegations.
