Based on a report published by Indian Express (Express Web Desk) on June 15, 2018, “the Central Intelligence Agency, in its recent edition of the ‘World Factbook’, has named the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal as “religious militant organisations”.
“The agency categorised them under “political pressure groups”, defined as organisations that are involved in politics or that exert political pressure but whose leaders do not stand for legislative election.”
World Factbook is an annual publication of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), which feeds intelligence or factual reference material on a country or issue to the US government. The Factbook is produced for US policymakers and coordinated throughout the US intelligence community.
As reported by Indian Express, “Khemchand Sharma, former national convenor of the BJP’s Samvad cell, on Friday rejected the CIA’s assertions. Calling it “fake news”."
Prof Rakesh Sinha of Vishwa Hidu Parishad (VHP) tweeted angrily saying, “Are we the people of India going to take certificate from the degraded, disruptive and conspiratorial organisation CIA? Dont we all know its role in Vietnam and other parts of the globe since its formation. it abhors nationalists outside the US!”
Surendra Jain, General Secretary of VHP, called the allegation ‘false’, and said, “this shows the CIA’s anti-India mindset”. He further added, “the CIA was responsible for creating Osama bin Laden and has no moral right to lecture it (others).”
