Lok Sabha Debates
Need To Investigate The Role Of Foreign Funds In Religious Conversions In India. on 21 October, 2008
> Title: Need to investigate the role of foreign funds in religious conversions in India.
SHRI B. MAHTAB (CUTTACK): Sir, this issue is regarding an important aspect, which I want to raise in this House relating to religious conversions taking place in India.
MR. CHAIRMAN: No. Your notice is regarding ‘need to investigate the role of foreign funds in religious conversions in India.’ SHRI B. MAHTAB : I am speaking on this only. It is about religious conversions that are taking place in India and about need to investigate the role of foreign funds, which have greatly aided conversions.
Not only Hindus of India but also Buddhist have expressed their resentment against the NGOs like ‘World Vision’ and other evangelical bodies operating in Mongolia, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar and even Tibet, who are ‘using unethical methods, under the guise of being charitable organizations to buy converts in Asia.’ Sir, The Australian, a leading newspaper of Australia has reported that ‘World Vision’ is secretly attempting to convert Muslims and Western Aid Workers in ACEH of Indonesia while working in Tsunami affected population.
Sir, the information that is available in the website of the Union Home Ministry relating to Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) states that the foreign donations to various NGOs have trebled or quadrupled in just three years since the formation of the UPA Government.
Our Constitution does grant a Fundamental Right to propagate one’s faith. But aggressive proselytisation through foreign funds wrests ill with the republic’s core value of secularism.
Therefore, I would demand a proper investigation into the detailed expenditure of foreign donations received by various NGOs. The Central Government should immediately set up a National Commission to investigate the role of foreign funds in this regard. As I have said earlier, the information is available in the website of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
SHRI MADHUSUDAN MISTRY (SABARKANTHA): You ask of religious NGOs. Why are you asking of all NGOs?
SHRI B. MAHTAB : I am asking of all NGOs. That is what I am saying. I am talking of all NGOs, who are receiving foreign funds… (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN: Mr. Mahtab, you are a senior Member. You have made your point.
SHRI B. MAHTAB : Sir, the largest recipients were the ‘World Vision’ having got Rs. 256 crore, ‘Caritas India’ having got Rs. 193 crore and ‘Rural Development Trust’ having got Rs. 127 crore. Similarly, ‘Gospel for Asia’ etc. has received more than Rs. 100 crore each. When the official Christian population in India is barely three per cent, why do the Christian NGOs receive the largest share of foreign funds? [r84] Some of these NGOs receive funds from Christian organisations that are known to support evangelism in many Asian countries.
MR. CHAIRMAN : Mr. Mahtab, please conclude. What is your demand?
SHRI B. MAHTAB : I demand that a national investigation should be conducted by a Commission of the Central Government to find out how this fund has been utilized.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Now, Mr. Madhusudan Mistry.
SHRI MADHUSUDAN MISTRY : That is too much. I do not agree with that, Mr. Mahtab.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Mr. Mistry, just a minute. The Minister wants to say something.
THE MINISTER OF OVERSEAS INDIAN AFFAIRS AND MINISTER OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI VAYALAR RAVI): The hon. Member has quoted a series of figures and something else. I do not know whether he had quoted from a foreign report. Nothing is authenticated. The only attempt of the hon. Member from Orissa is to cover up the atrocities against Christians. He wants to cover up. That is why, he is making these statements.
SHRI B. MAHTAB : No, that is not true. That is your allegation. I have quoted from the website of the Ministry of Home Affairs.… (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN: I am not allowing anybody. Nothing will be recorded, except the speech of Mr. Madhusudan Mistry.
(Interruptions) …*