First published click here to read.
Thanks to “Ghar Vapasi” programs, the issue of conversions is in the news again. Unfortunately, no one seems to be going into the cause of conversions. Unless these are addressed, protests about conversions will influence only TRPs of TV channels
One, money power!
NGOs receive large contributions from foreign entities. These contributions from abroad are governed by the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) which requires the recipients to get prior approval from the Home Ministry (HM). The recipients could be religious, social, educational, cultural or educational organisations. The NGO has to annually submit audited accounts to HM who collate accounts to present the FCRA Annual Report. HM does a detailed check of randomly picked associations. The last available report is for the year 2011–12. Here are some key data:
- There are approx. 42,000 registered NGO’s.
- Over 80% of top 15 donor and recipient organizations are Christian, ironically in a country where roughly 80% of the population is Hindu.
- 148 organizations received more than Rs 10 crs (99 in 2005-06).
- Between 1993-94 to 2011-12 NGOs received Rs 1,16,073 crs.
Top five donors were Compassion International USA (Rs 183 crs), Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints USA (Rs 131 crs), KNH, Germany (Rs 52 crs), SOS Kinderdorf International, Austria (Rs 43 crs), General Conference Seventh Day Advent, USA (Rs 41 crs).
Top five recipients are World Vision of India Tamil Nadu (Rs 233 crs), Believers Church India Kerala (Rs 190 crs), Rural Development Trust Andhra Pradesh (Rs 144 crs), Indian Society of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Rs 131 crs) is Associate of Compassion Internal U.S.A., Foundation of India Delhi (Rs 130 crs).
The moot point is why are these organizations (biggest donors consistently USA, Germany and UK) pumping in billions for charity? Do they see the West as the sole custodian of poverty alleviation, education and health? As if donor countries are the epitome of prosperity, per capita incomes and social harmony! Read How AmeriKKKa Killed the Black Middle Class.
Critics might argue that RSS/VHP also receive funding from abroad. There is a difference – they receive donations from Non-Resident Indians. Here the donors are Religious MNCs! Thus their contributions need to be regulated like foreign direct investment as articulated by ex IITian Sankrant Sanu.
Conversions in Tamil Nadu and undivided Andhra Pradesh are rampant which are amongst the biggest recipients of foreign aid. From 2002-03 to 2011-12 TN received Rs 14,738 crs whilst AP got Rs 10,622 crs. (By the way Delhi got Rs 16,404 crs).
Donors might argue there are no free lunches for e.g. post Tsunami contributions to Tamil Nadu doubled and resulted in conversions as pointed out by Aravindan Neelakandan. Correct, but then did the Government invite these NGOs to assist in relief efforts?
On one hand Hindus are not governed by a Church like organization, do not pay tax to the Church like the Germans and, do not convert. Conversely the Church is super rich and well-organised where conversion is The Agenda. One believes in live and let live whilst the other is obsessed with spreading the Cross.
Those who talk about freedom to propagate religion and Article 25 of the Constitution must realize there is a fundamental difference in structure, thought and practice between the Followers of Dharma and Christianity. The former are well within their rights to frame laws based on their social systems and culture.
Critics might argue that nothing prevents Hindu Temples from spending money for the poor. Good point, the problem is temples are controlled by the Government, more about this later.
Critics could then refer to schools run by the Church. Notwithstanding that many of these schools were established by the British, (author went to a school established in 1871) some good work happens but the underlying agenda today, esp. in backward areas is conversion. The author was told this during visits to Jammu region, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh and saw Churches coming up all over!
Who is funding large-scale construction of churches and schools?
The above is substantiated by what former Infosys Director TV Mohandas Pai wrote, “I have a personal experience of evangelical groups trying to convert members of my family. Two house maids who converted said that the school where their children went raised fees and due to their inability to pay, they were told they would waive it if they converted (which they were forced to do). Of course, the school was rabid in their evangelism with these children. When asked, inevitably they spoke about evangelicals groups that gave them free education for children and paid their medical bills, provided they converted”. Click here to read.
Nationalists, who wrote the Constitution, surely did not foresee schools becoming an instrument of conversion when they granted minorities the right to establish and administer educational institutions under Article 30.
Critics might ask why does the government not monitor activities of NGOs? It is impossible to do so when there are nearly 42,000 organizations!
Thus, the Government must change the law to allow only Non-Resident Indians to donate to Indian NGOs. Donations to the Tibetan Cause would continue as is. If foreign organizations or governments want to help, say victims of natural calamities, they can donate to the Prime Ministers National Relief Fund.
Reputed NGOs like Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Aga Khan Foundation would need specific approval from the equivalent of a Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB). Further, rules on how NGOs would spend money must be clearly specified for e.g. no NGO should be allowed to research status of any community. Action Aid India’s Annual Report 2012-13 refers to National Study on the status of Muslims in India. Would UK permit a Rightist Think Tank to do a study on the condition of Muslims and Hindus in UK?
Missionaries don’t do forced conversions, they use money, waive school fees, medical costs in missionary hospitals for those who convert on the spot! They convert entire villages at a time, promising money, a school close by and medical facilities. Most importantly they promise depressed classes that they will be equals in their new religion. (Post conversion converts invariably realize nothing has changed).
An anti-conversion bill serves limited purpose because it is difficult to prove a forced conversion. Instead, stop the funding tap!!
There will be endless columns by critics, debates on TV Channels, possible Supreme Court intervention, international pressure but the NDA government must stand atal if it does not want India to follow Sudan and become the next battleground between two Abrahamic religions. This is something NDA can learn from the Congress that passed retrograde laws against stiff opposition; this change is for the better.