Aggressive Evangelisation and North-East
Some of you may remember my recent posts from the north-east in which I had highlighted my concerns re. aggressive missionary activities in the region. Many of you would also know that there is a considerable amount of literature and news-paper reports on how foreign aid is being funnelled into anti-national activities in this part of India – at least some of it, finding its way to the numerous terrorist organisations active in the border states.
Below are two first-hand accounts and one short extract that underline the magnitude of the problem and the gravity of the situation. Please do make your friends and acquaintances aware of this. The region is almost forgotten in the public consciousness and I am afraid if this continues we may loose large parts of our territory in the region.
The first is a very disturbing first-hand account of conversions in Arunachal Pradesh. This comes from Deepak Sharma, an Art of Living instructor who spends most of his time in the north-east of India. He shared this in an email with me recently. I requested his permission to post it on the blog which he kindly granted. Pl read on (minor edits for readability; emphasis added).
This…was written following my recent visit to Changlang – a village in Arunachal Pradesh. I visited 12 homes where families are living under a constant threat of getting converted into Christianity. If they refuse, they may loose their only child or will not be allowed to go to their lands for ‘Jhum” agriculture – a local way of cultivating food on the hills. Before hearing of this, I could have never imagined religion blending with terrorism so well. This is a story to tell because I am myself shocked that how these events and incidents have so far gone unreported in local/national/international media.
Before starting let me tell you that I love Christianity and don’t miss a single chance to attend Church and listen to the carols on Sundays.
As many of you would know, the tribal people in the head-hunting hill regions of north east have been mostly converted into Christianity during the last quarter of the 19th century. Christian groups here have reinforced and complimented a sense of distinct ethnicity and otherness which have acted as the main source for creating a non Indian feeling and thereby resulting in separatist movements in the north eastern parts of India. Nagaland, Mizoram and Tripura being the best examples. Terrorist groups like Naga National Counsel NNC and Mizo National Front MNF also use Biblical imagery in their attempt to create terror. The MNF has also named their militant operations after Biblical events (e.g. they describe their first uprising as Operation Jericho).
NSCN – a top militant group of Nagaland – has also coined the phrase Nagaland for Christ. I have personally seen this slogan on the churches of one of the NSCN camps where Sunday service is regularly conducted by NSCNs ‘Chaplain Kilonser’ (Religious Affairs Minister). In the area bordering Nagaland and Arunachal, NSCN cadres have converted indigenous minorities on gun points; these groups are said to be funded by international Christian organizations.
One of the school teachers in Changlang had to ban the national anthem and start church prayer due to repeated threats from the NSCN groups. The more they convert the more they become successful in creating anti-national feelings.
In Mizoram the Congress has managed to control their presence by giving active support to their state Baptist church….The recent manifesto of Congress-I in Mizoram states that the party is committed to the promotion of ‘Christian Socialism’ in Mizoram.
In Tripura the strongest militant groups NLTF and TNV are essentially Christian outfits. One of NLTF’s stated objectives is to turn Tripura into ‘The Land of Christ’. It publically enjoys the support of the Tripura Baptist Church. The constitution of NLTF, called the ‘Sacrifice for Liberation’ issued on 22 December 2001 also calls its armed wing as the ‘National Holy Army’. The group had earlier issued Maruti 800s (as a lure) to tribal communities to convert them into Christianity as a whole (group).
A few years back NLTF had banned the worship of Durga , Sarasvati and Lakshmi in Tripura.
Image courtesy: Govt of Arunachal Pradesh
Next, a similarly worrying excerpt from the concluding part of “The Mascot of Religious Imperialism” by Sh JP Rajkhowa (a former Chief Secretary of Assam). It is somewhat dated Sept 2008) but I don’t have any reason to believe that the situation has changed meaningfully. The article mentions how a state government in “secular” India is (inadvertently?) recommending and overtly supporting a known Christian charity (hyperlinks added).
Although the ‘Tehelka’ investigation (see the full report uploaded under “Docs and Slides” widget) has dealt with several other important aspects of the Joshua Project II, I shall briefly dwell on the role played by “World Vision” (WV) – the leading US Government agency providing economic and humanitarian assistance to developing countries.†WV projects itself as a ‘Christian relief and development agency’ working with the ‘poorest of the poor in India without respect to race, region, religion, gender or caste.’
It undertakes development programmes, known as ‘Area Development Programmes (ADP),’ which provides access to clean drinking water, healthcare, education, and looks into the setting up of income generating projects.
However, ‘Tehelka’ claims that it has in its possession US-based WV Inc’s financial statement which was filed before the Internal Revenue Service, wherein WV is classified as a Church ministry. In any case, its mission statement is self explanatory: “World Vision is an international partnership of Christians whose mission is to follow our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, in working with the poor and oppressed, to promote human transformation, seek justice and bear witness to the Good News of the Kingdom of God.
Now it is really intriguing to note that the Government of Assam‘s Rural Development department has recognized WV-India as a leading development agency in the State and has recommended that WV be the choice for receiving bilateral funds.
The Government has also sought WV’s assistance in creating a proposal for US $80 million for development works in the State.
I don’t know whether the government (and/or the concerned department and Minister in charge) is unaware, incompetent or has been brought over..Regardless, it is strange that this has not yet become a matter for one of the numerous “sting” operations and/or investigative reports. Then again, given the general apathy towards the region and the “Kyaa Pharak Padtaa Hai?” attitude, perhaps it is not so strange after all. More the reason why this matter needs to be debated and discussed widely.
Finally, a picture that is worth a thousand words.
The location is near Bhuban caves (NC Hills, near Silchar). The incident happened sometime around the 31st May – 2nd Jun 2009. It was brought to my attention my members of the Vanvasi Kalyan Parishad when I visited them in Assam.
On top left is the picture of a school established as part of the “Sarva Shikshaa Abhiyaan” (national literacy campaign). Pl note the clear signs of the “Holy Cross” painted on the walls. Top centre is the signboard of the “Memorial Hall” built to honour Gairiemnang (a local spiritual person). The “Holy Cross” can clearly be seen in the picture. Top-right, behind the Trishul, you can see the name MNCA (Manmasi National Christian Army) scrawled in red.
On the right is a temple (structure resembling a hut) that was burnt and a cross planted at the top. Mid-left, you will see another temple that has been painted with a cross. Bottom-left, is a signboard of the Manmasi National Christian Army (established just a few weeks before the incident happened)
I was told that when the suspects were arrested for questioning, they were all carring copies of Bible with them.
Some of you may know that the Bhuban caves are an important centre of pilgrimage associated with Haipou Jadonang Comments and thoughts welcome as always.
Related Posts:
Notes from North-East: Conversion at gun point?
Living in a Blockade: A first-hand account from Manipur
On Remittances, Media Houses and Covert Evangelism
Should we ban foreign funding of religious institutions?
Update: Pl see comment #14 below and these links: “On Rajmohan Gandhi, Nagaland & MRA” an this on East Timor
EVANGELICAL INTRUSIONS: Tripura: A Case Study
by Sandhya Jain
The book is a systematic and in-depth inquiry into the evangelical intervention in India’s tribal societies to “coerce the entire tribal populace to convert to a millenarian tradition.†It investigates “concerted efforts by several Western evangelical denominations to achieve their objective of complete conversion†of the tribals, and the inability of the Indian state to support the latter in preserving their age-old tradition.
Tripura forms the universe of the field-study. This State, the author notes, “was chosen as the subject of the study because its large tribal population is resisting organised armed assault upon its native faith and way of life.â€
The book is a must-read for both lay readers and scholars.
opined M K Teng
in Daily Pioneer
Both, Shri Ram Swarup and Shri Sita Ram Goel, have clearly explained how Christianity, Communism and Islam have the same philosophy: my way. or the highway.
A visit to the USA shows how widespread and deeply entrenched the evangelical church is.Their world view is extreme and has absolutely nothing spiritual in it. Some of their most famous preachers have quit and moved on after seeing through the smokescreen.
Despite all this, a Hindu AOL teacher professes love for the fraudulent religion of xtianity!This is called transference: you take your own religion and transfer it’s highest principles to another and imagine they are the same…..till grim reality dawns on you.
During the coastal destruction caused by the tidal wave, xtian missionaries in Tamil Nadu were caught red handed trying to bribe survivors with food in exchange for conversion.They fled when a TV channel noticed them.
This is exactly what the Brits did in Ireland during the Irish famine to convert the Irish to Protestantism, so there is a long and hallowed tradition in this.
The conversion activities in the NE was first spotted by RSS pracharaks in the area(it is said). Their warnings were not heeded, and the long and ongoing struggle with the Nagas began then.Stories from the jawans indicated the backwardness and the viciousness of the conflict.They have no idea of how they came to be called “Naga”.We have pumped huge sums of money here, as in JNK, and used a philosophy of “hope for the best”.
We have abandoned all these people and thrown them to the wolves. The inclusion of the word “secular” in the Indian constitution has unmasked the holders of power for what they are.
Just once in a while an unconnected Dara Singh materializes out of nowhere.
God help us!
Many of you will find this post by Varnam interesting The Criminals who destroyed Easter Island.
this post raises my curiosity which is:-
the incidents no. 1 & 3 have been witnessed and reported by members of very well known/high profile organizations,namely art of living and vanvasi kalyan parishad.
how surprising is it that neither the great sri sri cares not to speak about it,nor does the rss/vanvasi kalyan parishad hold a press conference about it.about rss press conference i can agree that it shall get pushed in a corner and thus will not recv. due notice,but what about the other fellow.it seem that the tears of arunachalis have no meaning for him.
sometime back one acharya parishad was formed under the aegis of sh.dayanand saraswati.that org since it’s inception seems to have gone to sleep,as the hindu community seems to be taking one hit after another.
i wish that you ask sh. deepak sharma to bring these incidents to the notice of the great sri sri if he has’nt thouht it fit to do it till now,and inform you /this forum of any response from him.
Dear Shantanu
Re: “Christian groups here have reinforced and complimented a sense of distinct ethnicity and otherness which have acted as the main source for creating a non Indian feeling and thereby resulting in separatist movements in the north eastern parts of India.”
To what extent this is true, I’m not sure. There are many other causes as well, including severe mismanagement and misgovernance.
But on the issue of religious interference in politics I have a view. I’m neither a Hindu, nor Muslim nor anything. Just a human. But I note that religions have political impacts, particularly organised religion. And that means that India (nor can any other country) permit the intrusion of foreign religious funds into the country. Just as political funding by foreigners is prohibited under the law, so also religious funding must be prohibited.
The problem is that foreign funding of religious work mostly goes under the umbrella of charity. I oppose charity on many grounds (e.g. see http://sabhlokcity.com/category/policy-perspectives/foreign-aid/), but one more ground now exists that I have not written much about in the past but have come to the conclusion only during the last year – that charity by religious groups should be prohibited regardless of any good they may claim to do. Invariably such charity goes towards disturbing the political situation.
Hote that the free society should not oppose proselytisation and conversion, but these should be restricted to domestic funds and efforts.
I’m inclined to suggest that FTI add this clause into its religious tolerance policy. In any event, this situation is unsustainable. The political impact of religion need to be curbed.
There must be no mixing of religion and politics. The state must control any attempt of religion to influence politics. I wonder, though, whether our existing confused political parties have any idea about the nightmare they have created. It is time for good leadership to assemble and show India the right way forward – of freedom, with accountability.
Regards
Sanjeev
Slightly edited comment, with further commentary, posted at: http://sabhlokcity.com/2010/08/prohibiting-foreign-religious-charity/
Note the various BBC news items on the current charity flows from the UK to Pakistan due to the floods- the BBC reporter very glibly mentioned that UK charity may not be appreciated here as “local religious charities like the jamaat-ud-dawa” are better perceived! More efficient and the recepients see a clear distinction between islamic charity and western charity!
“JuD- local religious charity!” – ??? Would the BBC reporter care to go back to his/her own archives on what they have on JuD and its terror network? It does not require any investigative reporting to check the antecedents of JuD. I am now very curious to know how and where this huge British charity was expended in flood hit Pakistan. How much of it was actually trown away for being un-islamic. That would be a great piece of investigative journalism…
Sanjeev has a great point when he says that charity by religious groups should be prohibited.
Jai Hind
Ashutosh
Ashutosh: Do read this post which talks about the role of Islamic charities during the earthquake of 2006: A Tragedy that will continue to claim lives.
Distributing Maruti cars to the tribals! It is no wonder then that they succumb to conversion in the face of such blatant bribes! If the Government monitors the incoming aid or bans it, then half the problem is solved. But with Sonia at the helm, I dont see that happening.
@Beena: Re. govt monitoring of foreign funds you will find this post interesting: Should we ban foreign funding of religious institutions?
Fortunately or unfortunately in the Art of Living we believe in being a part of a solution. If you are on either side of a problem, you can never become a part of a sollution. I have devoted my life to promote spirituality and our vedic culture, but that dose not mean I am a fanatic. We have just completed 29 Rudra Pujas in the North East this month.
Hinduism means living in the center (core of your heart), spreading love, creating a harmony within and outside. When we become negative about other cultures and other peoples actions, we are no different from them. People all around the world want to learn our way of living and our culture because they have been on the other side. We you come to our navratris celebrations in bangalore you will find more than 5000 forigners coming from diffrent parts of the world performing and being a part of homas. People will look at our smile and come to us :)..
N ya Ashwani Guruji very well knows about the problems of North East and that why he has come to North East twice in the last 2 years. You have no idea of how much he cares 🙂
Lots of love
Ji Hind
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“We you come to our navratris celebrations in bangalore you will find more than 5000 forigners coming from diffrent parts of the world performing and being a part of homas. People will look at our smile and come to us”
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Is that the stamp of approval and a sign of success – that 5000 foreigners came to the celebration? Not bad actually, as a strategy – if you can have white foreigners become interested in Hindu culture and religion, very soon, the coconuts will also follow. 🙂
Its not a stamp of approval or success .. its jus a way to express that people are acknowledging Hinduism world over.
Some tweets from earlier today:
2day’s *must read*: Superbly researched, shocking (& truly worrying) narrative abt Rajmohan Gandhi, Nagaland & MRA http://j.mp/1hUs78T
“The conversion of Nagaland has been the second biggest success story of evangelists after Phillipines in Asia” http://j.mp/1hUs78T 1/n
To those who would accuse me of scare-mongering, I say, remember East Timor? Today it is one of the only 2 Catholic countries in Asia? 2/n
“In 1975, the East Timorese population was only about 35-40 percent Catholic..” http://j.mp/1hUsYXn 3/n
“By the early 1990s, the proportion of Timorese professing to be Catholic had surged to more than 90 percent.” http://j.mp/1hUsYXn 4/n
Now, pl read #9 and 10 here http://j.mp/1hUs78T on why Nagaland matters. Remember, eternal vigil is the price we pay fr our freedom 5/5
Somewhat related: Nagaland may get separate flag as part of final accord with Centre by Sanjib Kr Baruah, Hindustan Times, New Delhi | Updated: Jan 30, 2016