VHP U.N. bid for NGO opposed

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VHP bid for NGO tag opposed

New Delhi, Aug 21: The Vishwa Hindu Parishad's bid to obtain NGO

status in the United Nations has run into trouble with a large number

of Christian organisations and individuals based in India and the US

sending representations to the Economic and Social Council of the UN

General Assembly opposing the move.

The VHP which has become a regular applicant for UN recognition is

now

being opposed by determined Christian organisation who have written

to

ECOSOC pointing out that it was "a fundamentalist, militant

group" and

not a social organisation. Individuals have also written to the UN

highlighting the VHP's alleged involvement in the attacks on

Christian

missionaries and workers in different parts of India.

 

It has also been maintained that the VHP takes part in political

activities and cannot be described as a social organisation. Details

of its past activities have been compiled by some activists and

forwarded to the UN.ECOSOC has recognised about 20 organisations in

India.

 

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad had applied for recognition two years ago

but the request was returned with a polite rejoinder asking it to

apply again.

 

UN sources said that this amounted to a polite denial but the VHP has

again sent in an application leading to considerable furore amongst

human rights activists who are organising a systematic campaign

against its inclusion as an NGO.

 

VHP working president Ashok Singhal is camping in the US and is

expected to return only after a month. He will be joined towards the

end of August by other senior leaders including president V H Dalmia,

B K Modi and Giriraj Kishore who will be attending a four-day

Millennium Peace Summit being sponsored by the UN.

 

The VHP leaders will stay back in the US to welcome Prime Minister A

B

Vajpayee who is scheduled to attend the UN General Assembly in

September. It is not known if could not be ascertained if they will

be

attending the official functions along with Vajpayee.

 

The VHP has maintained that it is a social and cultural organisation

involved in humanitarian work and should be recognised as such.

Sources pointed out that social work and credibility are two criteria

which are taken into consideration while assessing the performance of

any organisation.