Police in Afghanistan have arrested more than 34,000 beggars from across the country over the past year to give an end to the culture of begging in society, a deputy on counter-narcotics of the Ministry of Interior Affairs said.
“We have arrested 34,377 beggars over the past year,” the National Radio and Television of Afghanistan (RTA) quoted Mullah Abdul Haq Akhund Hamkar on Sunday as saying. Major parts of the collected beggars were fake and professional, the official told the state-owned media outlet, saying the police after investigation have allocated a monthly allowance to the needy one and referred the professional beggars to the concerned entities for further investigation, Xinhua news agency reported.
A commission was established to register beggars and categorise them as “professional”, “destitute” or “organised”, which involves taking their biometric data and fingerprints. According to Taliban officials, nearly 60,000 beggars have already been “rounded up” in Kabul alone. The death of detainees rounded up under anti-begging laws is factored into the wording of the Taliban’s new law, in which Article 25 states: “If a beggar dies while in custody and has no relatives or if the family refuses to collect the body, the municipal officials will handle the burial.”
Under the new laws, those classed as “destitute” are legally entitled to financial assistance after their release, but none of the women said they had received any help. Officials in Balkh said that they have begun a campaign to round up beggars in Mazar-e-Sharif city and other parts of the northern province. The officials said that the beggars will be provided with 2,000 Afs per month after the completion of the process. “If they are really poor and vulnerable, we will provide them with 2,000 Afs per month,” said Noor-ul-Huda Abu Idris, the deputy governor of Balkh.
“There could be some fake beggars and there could be real beggars. This will be distinguished in the future because this commission is formed for this purpose,” said Faizullah Faizi, head of the commission to round up beggars. The Afghan caretaker government, according to the official, is committed to fighting the culture of begging as part of efforts to keep the society clean. More than 23 million Afghans, about half of the population of the war-torn country, have reportedly been facing a food crisis.
–IANS
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The BJP has released a factsheet reeling out statistics on household savings and wealth creation in the country to refute the Congress’s claim that under the Modi government real wages have declined and household savings and consumption have fallen while the debt burden and income inequalities are rising. The factsheet highlights that the increase in household debt is not due to rising indebtedness per borrower but due to a greater number of borrowers, reflecting improved credit access.
The sharp decline in net household savings and an increase in household liabilities is because Indians are investing in physical assets (real estate and automobiles).
The increased number of education loans and consumption of experiences are also leading to the trend, it notes. Countering the Congress claim that income inequality is rising in the country, the factsheet points out that under the Modi government, income brackets have expanded, with an 8.1 per cent rise in the Rs 5–10 lakh bracket and a 3.8 per cent rise in the Rs 10–20 lakh bracket. The wealth generation has trickled down to rural India with 9 out of 10 rural entrepreneurs being the first-generation entrepreneurs.
As more Indians are investing in real estate, India has seen a 21 per cent rise in the average price of an average residential unit in the top seven cities, it observes. The factsheet further states that for the first time since independence, average household spending on food was less than 50 per cent of the overall monthly spending because of increased income.
At the all-India level, the urban-rural gap in Monthly Per Capita Consumption Expenditure (MPCE) has declined to 70 per cent in 2023-24 from 84 per cent in 2011-12 showing the rural-urban divide is narrowing. Across social groups, MPCE increased across all categories, with the highest growth observed among Scheduled Tribes (ST) and Scheduled Castes (SC), reducing historical disparities, it added. “The Gini Coefficient, which measures inequality in consumption expenditure, has declined across all major states.
The bottom 5 per cent of the rural population witnessed a stunning 22 per cent growth in monthly consumption expenditure,” the factsheet states. Most significantly, even the poorest 5 per cent of households now spend above the poverty line, with rural MPCE at Rs 1,677 against a poverty line estimate of Rs 1,622 as per an SBI Report (based on the Suresh Tendulkar methodology).
Besides, with the implementation of GST, the price of almost all household goods has come down, leading to at least 4 per cent of total household savings as per a survey, the factsheet states. The BJP said that the Congress’s claim that income inequality in India is worse than during the British Raj is based on a World Inequality Lab report riddled with methodological and data issues.
The quality of life has significantly increased with 97 per cent of households having electricity access, 70 per cent having improved access to sanitation, and 96 per cent having access to safe drinking water as per NFHS-5 (2019-21), it states.
As many as 24.82 crore Indians escaped Multidimensional Poverty in the last nine years and the Poverty Headcount Ratio reduced from 29.17 per cent in 2013-14 to 11.28 per cent in 2022-23. In addition, 36.3 per cent of individual ITR filers earning less than Rs 3.5 lakh in FY14 have shifted to higher income brackets, with 15.3 per cent each moving to the Rs 3.5-5 lakh and Rs 5-10 lakh groups, and 4.2 per cent moving to Rs 10-20 lakh.
Besides, 21.1 per cent of the gross income from those earning below Rs 4 lakh shifted upwards, with notable gains in the Rs 5-10 lakh (7.1 per cent) and Rs 20-50 lakh (2.9 per cent) brackets, the factsheet observes.
The number of individuals earning over Rs 100 crore also increased from 23 in FY14 to 136 in FY21, but their share of total income dropped from 1.64 per cent to 0.77 per cent, indicating a broader income distribution, it added.
–IANS
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Congress General Secretary and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on 8 February 2025, congratulated all the winners of the Delhi Assembly elections where the BJP demolished the AAP to return to power after nearly three decades, saying the people had voted for change. She was at her constituency when the results started to trickle in and when the media approached her, she said she would react later.
As the BJP romped easily to victory, Priyanka Gandhi was candid in her reaction. “It was very obvious, right from the start of the campaign as we got to know from the people that they were looking for a change in Delhi. People wanted change and they have voted for change. I congratulate the winners and for the rest of us, we have to work harder,” she said.
The BJP was on course to win 48 of the 70 seats, while the AAP was ahead in 22 seats, but the Congress, like in the past two elections, failed to open their account in the national capital. Incidentally, when the counting of votes began, the Congress was leading in two seats, but as the day progressed, that also fizzled out. While Kejriwal ruled the roost in Delhi and with his party flying high, Kerala also saw a unit of the Aam Aadmi Party open with a bang.
The AAP unit saw leading lights from the civil society coming forward to join and it went on to include more apolitical personalities drawn from a cross-section of the state. But with the passing of time, internal strife broke out in the Kerala unit and it has now virtually become a non-entity. However, Kejriwal found support from Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan as both of them had common enemies – the Congress and the BJP.
When Vijayan and his entire cabinet staged a protest in the national capital against the sidelining of the state by the Centre, Kejriwal’s presence in the meeting became big news. Now with Kejriwal and his party routed, Vijayan might feel the pinch more than the Congress.
-IANS
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In a tragic turn of events, the hospital has declared the four-month-old unborn baby of a pregnant harassment survivor, who was thrown off a train by her assailant, dead.
On the night of 6 February 2025, near Vellore, a pregnant woman was molested and pushed out of a speeding train by a youth when she resisted and fought back. According to Jolarpet railway police, the woman, who is four months pregnant and hails from Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh, was traveling in the ladies’ compartment of the Coimbatore-Tirupati Intercity Express.
The youth boarded the ladies’ compartment when the train halted at Jolarpet railway station. Upon noticing that the woman was alone, he began to molest her. She resisted his attempts to sexually assault her and ran towards the restroom to lock herself inside. However, the youth chased her and pushed her out of the moving train.
As a result of the fall, the woman sustained fractures in her upper and lower limbs. Passersby came to her rescue and admitted her to the Government Medical College and Hospital at Adukkamparai in Vellore. The Jolarpet police registered a case and conducted preliminary inquiries with the woman. They reviewed CCTV footage from Katpadi and Jolarpet railway stations and identified the perpetrator as Hemaraj from K V Kuppam. He was subsequently arrested.
Further inquiries revealed that Hemaraj had recently been released on bail after being arrested for the murder of a woman from Chennai. He has several pending cases against him and was booked under the Goondas Act in 2022.
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The leftist ecosystem over the years has ensured that lie after lie is repeated and brains of young students is literally “washed” with them. The Nehruvian system of education ensured Indians remain colonial slaves and continue to be Brown sepoys of the colonisers and the invaders even after regimes have changed and democracy has flourished.
Down south, the Dravidian ecosystem has ensured that a rabid anti-Hindu, anti-Tamil “ideologue” of theirs, the one and only EV Ramasamy Naicker (referred to as Periyar by his loyal followers), continues to be venerated by the incoming generations.
The NDA government promised that textbooks will be changed to include the truth and children be taught the glory of our illustrious past. There has been change but not enough change has been made. While textbook lessons with respect to Mughal invaders and other lies that were propagated have been done away with, the NCERT/CBSE board introduces (not sure how long this has been the case), this Dravidianist rabid anti-Hindu as a “reformer” in its Class 8, History (Social Science textbook – Our Pasts III) in its 7th Chapter titled – Women, Caste and Reform.
The chapter continues to showcase the same names that were included in textbooks more than 2 decades ago – people such as Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar, Swami Dayanand Saraswati, Rajaram Mohun Roy and Shri Narayana Guru. Then comes the surprise – EV Ramasamy Naicker is also featured in the chapter under the “Non Brahman movement”.
This section is completely riddled with lies. Let’s look at each one of them.
Busting The Myths Of EVR Peddled In NCERT Textbook
Claim In NCERT: “They challenged Brahminical claims to power”
Reality: Back in the day, most of the Tamil Brahmins either worked as priests in temples or as teachers in schools that are funded by landed communities like Mudaliars, Chettiars, Pillais, etc. Some of the Brahmins lived on land donated to them by kings. With the coming of the British, the Brahmins who were once at the hold of these communities, proved to be agile with their skills and were employed by the British in various roles. It was not only the Brahmins who were employed by the British but a few other communities as well which included people from other communities including those from the Justice Party which EVR and his cronies went on to found.
Claim In NCERT: “E.V. Ramaswamy Naicker, or Periyar, as he was called, came from a middle-class family.”
Reality: He was born into a rich merchant family in Erode. He was not Tamil to begin with, he belonged to the Kannada Kamma community. In the book, Collected Works of EVR by DK’s K Veeramani, he describes EVR’s father Venkata Naicker as “A popular rich merchant; Ardent devotee of Hindu religion. (A Vaishnavite)” . So surely, EVR was not from a middle-class family.
Claim In NCERT: “Interestingly, he had been an ascetic in his early life”
Reality: Thanks to his father’s Hindu leanings, EVR had the chance to “hear Tamil Vaishnav religious Gurus talks on mythologies at his house, enjoying their hospitability. As a boy, he started questioning the contradictions and illusions in the fables of Hindu deities spread by the Aryan Race ie., Brahmins for subjugating Dravidian Race” – as mentioned in the book by K Veeramani.
By 13, he was married to his first wife Nagammal. He did “reform his orthodox wife and sowed rationalistic views”. Let us tell you how he did it.
His wife, Nagammaiyar, was a devout woman who occasionally visited temples during festivals. However, EVR was determined to put an end to this practice, and he employed a rather unconventional—and controversial—method to achieve this. An account of this in a book under the chapter “Thoughts On Society”, it reads, “(2) Abolition of temple visitation: Nagammaiyar visits the temple every now and then during festivals. EV Rao’s plan is to stop this case. The prank he did for this was very funny. One day Nagammaiyar went to the temple with some women on the occasion of some festival. E.V.Ra. He went to the temple with some of his companions. He stood in a secluded place so that the minor Kolumbundu Ammaiyar could not see him well. Showing Nagammaiyar to his associates, ‘She is someone new. She has come to our town. We must conquer her; Make the effort you need to know her intentions.’ They also went to where Avvammaiyar was standing and started mocking him. Nagammaiyar saw the proceedings of this meeting. He had no idea what to do. Feet were hot. The body trembled. The heart was pounding with unbearable fear. She was drenched in sweat. However, she somehow managed to escape from the men and returned home. After knowing the situation of the temples, the next day she realized that the event held in the temple was a trick of her husband.”
His extreme and manipulative approach succeeded in instilling fear in her, effectively putting an end to her temple visits.
When Periyar's wife went to a temple, he told his friends that's a new prostitute is in town. His friends went and misbehaved. Wife got scared and ran away. But then what do you expect from someone named after a mass murdering dictator but to glorify such a horrible man? pic.twitter.com/czeYKQ3Mpj
Claim In NCERT: “Periyar was an outspoken critic of Hindu scriptures, especially the Codes of Manu, the ancient lawgiver, and the Bhagavad Gita and the Ramayana. He said that these texts had been used to establish the authority of Brahmans over lower castes and the domination of men over women.”
Reality:He was not a “critic” of Hindu scriptures. That’s a mild way of putting it when compared to the venom he spewed about Hindu Gods and scriptures. A critic is someone who engages thoughtfully and civilly to analyze, evaluate, and critique, using rational arguments grounded in principle. This rabid hate monger only abused Hindu Gods. EVR disgustingly described the birth of Hindu God Murugan. Kamba Ramayanam, the Tamil version of Ramayana that is revered in Tamil Nadu was denounced by Periyar as a ‘storehouse of falsehood’. Tamil Saivite literature like Tevaram, Tiruvasagam and Tirumandiram which are part of the Thirumurai, a collection of songs in praise of Hindu God Shiva was called as rubbish by EVR. He had called the presiding deity Lord Rangathaswamy of Srirangam as a god who comes in search of prostitutes. He had also claimed that Rama had married other women apart from Sita for his sexual pleasure. He had also claimed that Ravana was, in fact, a Dravidian King from South India.
In 1953, Periyar organized agitation for the desecration of Ganesha idols. He had elaborated extensively on the motivations behind the breaking of the idols. He had said in a speech in 1953, “We have to eradicate the gods who are responsible for the institution which portrays us as sudras, people of low birth, and some others as Brahmins of high birth. While the former go on toiling, without any education, whereas the latter can remain without exerting themselves. We have to break the idols of these gods. I start with Ganesa because it is he who is worshipped before undertaking any task.”
Claim In NCERT:“But orthodox Hindu society also reacted by founding Sanatan Dharma Sabhas and the Bharat Dharma Mahamandal in the north, and associations like the Brahman Sabha in Bengal. The object of these associations was to uphold caste distinctions as a cornerstone of Hinduism, and show how this was sanctified by scriptures.”
Reality: It feels as if there is an anti-Hindu element sitting right at the textbook committee for peddling such anti-Hindu lies and ensuring children who are at a very nascent stage are fed this propaganda nonsense and challenge the practices in their homes. This is especially targeted at Hindus as you cannot see much on other religious denominations in the chapter.
Hindus have consistently adapted their practices to remain relevant through changing times unlike one barbaric political cult that is stuck in the medieval past and bays for the blood its non-followers. Gurus like Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Swami Vivekananda, Ramanujacharya, Kanchi Sankaracharya, Aurobindo and many others have enabled reforms within the community breaking the caste rigidity.
Claim In NCERT:“Periyar on women – Periyar wrote: Only with the arrival of words such as Thara Mukurtham our women had become puppets in the hands of their husbands … we ended up with such fathers who advise their daughters … that they had been gifted away to their husbands, and they belong to their husband’s place. This is the … result of our association with Sanskrit. Periyar, cited in Periyar Chintahnaikal”
Reality: Let us tell you what EVR had to say about women and women empowerment meant to him.
Said Women Visit Temples To Enjoy Being Groped By Men
During a widely celebrated speech revered by followers of EVR and D-Stocks, EVR crudely asserted that women visit temples to be groped, “Husbands usually don’t go to the temple, but at least to have fun they go. The women who are tied (Married) can go only during festival season. Only by going there, she can rub with four men; If she stays at home ‘Her husband will threaten asking ‘what work; If she goes there… ‘Come’ will say the husband; She will say ‘Can’t come they are crushing’; He will say ‘Come, come through them’, She gets all that pleasure only when she is taken to the temple; He is habituated to this because everyone else’s wife is also subject to the same, hence no one will ridicule it. Only because of this, she is holding her life. If we make different arrangements for this, women would not go to temples.”
2. EVR, of age 94 says in his Irudhi Perurai (Final Great Speech) in 1973: "Why are temples still alive?
Because only in a temple's festive crowd, will a husband get the pleasure of seeing his wife being groped.
Samy Chidambaranar’s 1939 book “Tamizhar Thalaivar” delves into several controversial claims, including allegations about E.V. Ramasamy (Periyar). The book narrates accounts of his nocturnal activities with women by riverbanks while having his wife prepare meals for such outings. Titled, “Family Mischief” (Kudumba Kurumbugal), Samy Chidambaranar narrates, “Ramasamy was a great “Minor” (flirt) before he ventured into public life. His friends will joke about his ‘minor’ exploits quite quirkily. Sometimes he (EVR) would also talk about it. In those days, EVR was mostly in the houses of prostitutes – entering and departing. There were many partners for this. Ramasamy and his associates would go to the banks of River Cauvery with a group of prostitutes during the lunar nights. They would spend the whole night in the river ‘having fun’ and return home only early in the morning. The food for these meetings should come from EVR’s house only. Parents should not know about food delivery. For this, EVR will seek the help of Nagammai. She will, too, unbeknownst to the family, would cook the food that her husband wanted, and the food would be sent through the backdoor and taken to the Cauvery by a cart.”
Tamil Brahmins “Prostituted” Their Women To Other Castes
On Page 168 of the book “Collected Works of EVR Periyar“, it talks about how he said Tamil Brahmins “prostituted” their women to other castes.
“I asked him to tell me where he stands in the society. I asked him to tell me the rank he holds under the caste hierarchy. He told me his status in life is that of a minister. He replied that he is a Reddiar by caste. Stating the caste as Reddy, Gounder, Naidu, and Naicker are all names we have created. But according to shastras, religion, and tradition, we are all “Shudras” the fourth caste. This continues to exist for a long time. We have started the movement to crusade against this long-lasting disgraceful status. After that, I asked him what was meant by “Shudra”. I myself explained to him that “shudra” means the son of a prostitute.
Then I continued to speak to him. I said, “You have high degree of education. You have passed B.A., B.L., You were a minister for three years. Again you are a now a minister. You are still a “Shudra” the son of a prostitute. You are not ashamed of your low social status. A fellow who begs at you, a fellow who is willing to prostitute his womenfolk for you, calls himself as a high born. You accept him as superior in caste. You prostrate at his feet”. I finally put the question, ” Now you tell me whether you want the Self-Respect Movement or not?” He simply replied that all these have existed for a very long period.”
For example: Official source material publicly available. Collected Works of EVR Periyar P. 168- hence this is the established community level of obscenity in Tamil discourse.
Hindu Women Go To Crowded Temples To Rub Their Bodies Against Strange Men
In what is said to be one of his speeches and later published in the Dravidianist mouthpiece Viduthalai in 1973, EVR says, “Young women who are tied up at home can be seen outside only during temple festivals. Only if they go there will they be able to rub their bodies against young men. If they are at home, the husband threatens her with work. If she goes there, he will ask her to come. “I am not able to come, he is crushing me, he is crushing me“, she would say, “Come without a word“, he would say.
He receives that pleasure only when he takes his wife to the temple. That became a habit since this is the state of all wives, no one makes fun of it. Because of such things, life goes on. If we make other arrangements as appropriate, the women will return.”
This is what EVR had in mind and said about women.
Claim In NCERT:“Convinced that untouchables had to fight for their dignity”
Reality: On December 25, 1958, during the tragic Keezhvenmani incident, 44 Dalit workers were killed by landlords for seeking higher wages. Instead of condemning the violence, EVR suggested that workers should accept the wages given by landowners without demanding more. This stance overlooked the deep-seated caste discrimination involved. Moreover, in the magazine “Kudiarasu,” EVR commented that the increase in clothing prices was due to Dalit women beginning to wear jackets. Throughout his activism, EVR did not significantly engage in or support any movements specifically aimed at improving Dalit rights related to education, jobs, temple entry, or occupational rights. Despite this, he often took credit for broader social movements where his participation was minimal. EVR was always envious of Dalits gaining political representation so much so that he once had addressed Dr. Ambedkar as “an agent of the North Indian Brahminical Congress Party”
It is highly unfortunate that NCERT glorifies this perverted being as a reformer and one who fought for women’s/oppressed caste people’s rights.
EVR Was No Reformer, He Was Just A Rabid Hate Mongering Bigot
Called For Genocide Of Brahmins
EVR called for the genocide of Brahmins in the name of abolishing the caste system.
He said “If to eradicate caste we need to burn the agraharams (Tamizh Brahmin house colonies) and murder atleast 1000 Tamizh Brahmins then we will do exactly that” declaring the date of genocide as 26th November 1957, the Constitution Day.
The book “Periyar Thought Collection Part 1” records a speech by EVR where he advocated for the killing of Brahmin men and women if the Rajaji government failed to withdraw the Madras scheme of elementary education (Kulakalvi Thittam) in 1953. In another incident, EVR made a direct comparison between Brahmins and Jews, suggesting that Brahmins should be forcibly removed from India. This statement was made in 1938, coinciding with the rise of persecution against Jews in Germany. It is evident that EVR’s intention behind this comparison was to incite prejudice and discrimination against Brahmins. Additionally, he expressed the belief that in order to eliminate caste in India, it was necessary to eradicate God, religion, scriptures, and Brahmins. In a separate address by EVR in Virudhunagar in 1944, he offered guidance to students, proposing that just as the Germans persecuted Jews and rose to power, why shouldn’t we do the same to Aryans (Brahmins)?
In another instance, during his speech in Karaikudi, EVR openly encouraged non-Brahmins to kill Brahmins. EVR said, “They are celebrating festival it seems , he is celebrating Soora Samhaaram, what is it? He (Soorapadman the demon) was someone who said there is no god, they killed him, therefore now we can kill those buggers… that won’t be wrong (if we kill them) may be legally it will be wrong, that legal offence and all are bullshit we cant be bothered that it is legally wrong. We have to come to the conclusion, wherever we see a temple we must go inside and break all the idols inside, wherever we find Paapan (Brahmins) we must kill and destroy him. He has done like this to us, after all he (Tamil Brahmin) has done things like this only to come to this position. We must also do to the him, whatever he has done, what, a few of us have to die, if one Tamil dies for one paapan, means only three of us will die out of every hundreds, balance 94% will still remain.”
Called Pongal Festival A Nuisance
In a 1931 article penned under the pseudonym “Screw Loose,” EVR, hailed as Periyar by his followers, abused the Pongal festival, lambasting it as a wasteful and harmful tradition. He expressed particular disdain for the cultural practices surrounding Pongal, such as preparing sweet and savory dishes that, he claimed, were often overindulged in by poorer families.
Gems On Muslims
EVR harbored strong animosity toward minorities, particularly Muslims, and expressed his views openly. In a 1962 article, he declared that the nation would be doomed if it continued to support minorities. He vehemently attacked Muslims, blaming them for literally every issue, and worked to rally the non-Brahmin community against both Muslims and Hindu Brahmins by spreading hatred. This editorial reflects EVR’s deeply divisive rhetoric, in which he not only targeted Muslims but also sought to create further divisions in society by pitting non-Brahmin communities against both Muslims and Brahmin Hindus.
He referred to Christians and Muslims in Tamil Nadu as “non-Tamils,” stating, “In Tamil Nadu’s population, Brahmins make up 2.75%, Christians around 4%, Muslims approximately 5%, Malayalis about 8%, and people from Karnataka roughly 5%. When you combine these groups, they account for 25% of the population. Yet, these ‘non-Tamils’ occupy 75% of the top positions in employment. The suffering of Tamils, he argued, is due to the fact that Brahmins, Christians, Muslims, and others falsely claim to be Tamils.”
What He Thought About Malayalis
EVR’s dislike for Malayalis is evident in several of his speeches and writings. He often used strong, provocative language to criticize Malayalis, particularly targeting their cultural practices, social structures, and perceived dominance in certain spheres.
Abused Tamil Language And Called Thirukkural As ‘Faeces’
EVR hated Tamil so much that he called Thirukkural as faeces. In an editorial published in Viduthalai on October 11, 1967, EVR referred to Tamil as a “kaatumiraandi mozhi” (barbarian language). This was not an isolated remark—throughout his life, he belittled Tamil, advocating for its abandonment in favor of English. He even went so far as to say that “Tamil is a language not even useful for begging.” Silappadikaram, one of Tamil Nadu’s most revered literary works from the Sangam era, was dismissed by EVR as Aryan propaganda. In a speech on March 30, 1951, he described it as a collection of superstitions that promoted the subjugation of women.
Between October and November 1967, EVR wrote multiple articles portraying Tamils as backward and irrational. He argued that their inventions and traditions—such as the grinding stone, oil lamps, and bullock carts—were primitive and of no practical use. He even claimed that Tamils had no concept of time and had borrowed it from the English.
EVR openly derided Tamil society, describing its people as lacking racial consciousness, self-respect, nationalism, and even basic humaneness.
In a Viduthalai editorial dated March 16, 1967, EVR declared that Tamil scholars and pundits deserved to be imprisoned for life and hanged, accusing them of failing to contribute to society’s progress. He even ridiculed the World Tamil Conference, calling it a “census to enumerate fools.”
Thirukkural, revered as one of the greatest works of Tamil literature, was scathingly criticized by EVR. Initially, he praised it, but later dismissed it as “feces placed in a golden plate.”
EVR had contempt for Subramania Bharathi, the iconic poet and nationalist leader. In the journal Ticutar, he mocked Bharathi for calling Tamil the sister language of Sanskrit. He even compared Bharathi to a rat.
Anguished by the virulent vitriol spewed by EVR, Nehru shot off another letter to Kamaraj on 5 November 1957 in which he asked EVR to “be put in a lunatic asylum” and let his “perveted mind be treated there”.
NCERT Should Be Ashamed
It is one thing for a state entrenched in Dravidianism to glorify this hateful bigot as social reformer. It is also understandable if the EVR glorifying propaganda was inserted in textbook when the NCERT was under the control of leftists ably supported by the Congress-led UPA government. But NCERT should be a little more responsible as non-Tamil students across India would matter how much the Dravidianists, leftists and the woke Brahmins try to hail EVR as a social reformer
Is this the kind of idol and ideologue that NCERT/CBSE wants to introduce children to? Do we want our children to celebrate a man who abused Hindus, derogated Tamil culture, saw women as flesh, to live life “enjoying without responsibility”, and called for a genocide?
NCERT must be ashamed for peddling falsehoods about this rabid hate mongering demagogue and poisoning impressionable minds. It is even more shameful that the BJP government at the Centre has continued to allow this falsehood to be peddled right under its nose despite being in power for over a decade.
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The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) romped home wresting the national capital from AAP’s control on Saturday, decisively defeating the party that governed Delhi since 2013. The resounding victory of BJP and ignominious defeat for AAP has more meanings than one.
First, it marks the end of AAP’s era and also a governance model that reverberated across the nation and saw its political footprints expanding beyond the capital. Secondly, it vividly reflects the public mood that the freebies and sops alone can’t be a guarantee to win elections. Thirdly and most importantly, the BJP’s landslide victory signifies the party’s growing clout in the Hindi heartland.
With BJP winning Delhi, this completes BJP’s domination in the region including the national capital. The BJP is already in power in states surrounding the capital including Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Rajasthan. BJP has been in power in adjoining Haryana and Uttar Pradesh for three and two consecutive terms respectively and snatched power from Congress in Rajasthan in the 2023 elections.
Haryana witnessed a turf battle in 2023 as BJP and Congress engaged in a fierce poll battle but it was the former that had the last laugh. Just a year later, Delhi saw a high-stakes battle with all three AAP, Congress and BJP putting their foot down but it was the latter which outwitted all and stormed to power, after almost three decades. Interestingly, 48 out of 70 seats where BJP has either won or is ahead, include the border constituencies lining up with Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.
The city’s border constituencies, particularly with Haryana refused to buy AAP’s theory of water contamination and water terrorism charge by the adjoining BJP government and voted against its poll rhetoric. Days ahead of polling, Delhi CM Atishi and AAP office bearers made a scathing attack on the Haryana government, accusing it of “poisoning” the Yamuna river with an intention to “kill” Delhiites.
Kejriwal also made a similar pitch, hoping to build resentment among the public against BJP. But, this failed to cut ice and AAP faced the people’s ire even in border districts for keeping “theatrics over governance”. AAP government’s repeated accusations of the Centre and failure to address the stubble-burning issue in its party ruled Punjab didn’t do any good. Kejriwal’s repeated charge of stalling projects by Delhi L-G was seen as a “diversionary tactic” and people rather believed that the double-engine government would be key to Delhi’s problems.
Kejriwal’s impassioned appeal to people after being released from jail, that he would return to the CM post only if the people’s court elected him, also didn’t move voters. This gambit also failed to yield results. People saw all these as an exercise to wash their hands of responsibility and went to punish the party, which won more than three-fourths majority twice, first in 2015 and then in 2020.
The BJP, since 2014 has largely enjoyed dominance in North India. However, winning Delhi was beyond its reach despite popular appeal. It was handed over a crushing defeat in both the 2015 and 2020 Assembly elections, at the hands of Kejriwal-led AAP. However, this time, BJP marching to victory with a thumping majority marks an end to its long and anxious wait to be in power in the national capital.
-IANS
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As the counting for the Delhi Assembly elections nears its conclusion, the Congress party, once a dominant force in the national Capital, appears set for yet another electoral washout, failing to win even a single seat this term.
The Congress, which ruled Delhi for 15 consecutive years from 1998 to 2013, is now staring at its fourth straight defeat in Assembly elections, underscoring its sharp decline in influence across the city. This time, the party’s struggle was particularly evident in three key Assembly seats — Mehrauli, Okhla, and Mustafabad. In Mustafabad, BJP candidate Mohan Singh Bisht emerged victorious with a lead of over 17,000 votes.
The AAP’s Adeel Ahmad Khan secured second place, while AIMIM candidate Tahir Hussain — former AAP Councillor and a key accused in the 2020 Delhi riots — finished third. Congress candidate Ali Mehdi was left trailing far behind. In Mehrauli, the BJP’s Gajender Singh Yadav maintained a lead, with the AAP’s Mahender Chaudhary in second place. An Independent candidate, Balyogi Baba Balaknath, was in third place, while Congress candidate Pushpa Singh lagged at fourth place, with only two rounds of counting left. Mehrauli is part of the South Delhi Lok Sabha constituency, which comprises nine other Assembly segments, including Bijwasan, Sangam Vihar, Ambedkar Nagar, Chhatarpur, Deoli, Kalkaji, Tughlakabad, Palam, and Badarpur.
The BJP is leading in six of these seats. In Okhla, AAP’s Amanatullah Khan maintained a strong lead of over 30,000 votes. AIMIM candidate Shifa Ur Rehman Khan was in second place, followed by BJP’s Manish Chaudhary. Congress candidate Ariba Khan trailed at fourth, with eight rounds of counting remaining. Congress candidate Sandeep Dikshit, contesting from the New Delhi Assembly seat, admitted to the party’s poor performance, calling it “disappointing” and acknowledging that Congress had failed to reconnect with Delhi’s voters. “We had hoped for 12-13 per cent of the vote share, but we fell short. We wanted to make a place for Congress in the hearts of the people but failed. It is disappointing,” Dikshit told IANS. Asked about the reasons behind the Congress’ dismal showing, he said, “It is difficult to pinpoint right now. Maybe people wanted to vote for the Congress but were unsure if we could form a government, so they chose other parties instead.”
Dikshit was in a three-way battle in New Delhi against AAP National Convenor and former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and the BJP’s Parvesh Verma, who won the seat. As counting continues, early trends from the Election Commission of India (ECI) show the BJP crossing the halfway mark, leading in 48 of Delhi’s 70 Assembly seats, while the AAP is ahead in 22. The Congress, however, remains absent from the tally. Exit Polls had predicted a significant loss for the AAP, with the BJP expected to win between 45-55 seats.
The Congress was projected to win just one seat but has failed to achieve even that. The party’s failure to open its account once again underscores its declining relevance in Delhi politics. Once a formidable force under former Chief Minister late Sheila Dikshit, the Congress has been struggling to regain lost ground since the AAP’s rise in 2013. Early trends initially showed the Congress leading in Badli, but this advantage quickly dissipated. With no leads in any constituency, the party is poised for another electoral wipeout.
The poor performance comes despite a high-profile campaign led by Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi, who held multiple rallies in the run-up to the elections. The Congress’ vote share has also been on a downward trajectory. The last time it won seats in Delhi was in 2013 when it secured eight constituencies. That election also marked the AAP’s debut, which disrupted the city’s political landscape. In 2015, the Congress drew a blank, managing only a 9 per cent vote share, while AAP swept 67 out of 70 seats.
The BJP won the remaining three. The downward spiral continued in 2020, with Congress again failing to win a single seat and its vote share dropping below 5 per cent. AAP retained power with 62 seats, while the BJP managed just eight. As the BJP celebrates its return to power in Delhi and AAP grapples with a significant setback, Congress’ continued decline raises serious questions about its future in the national Capital.
-IANS
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The journalist, comfortably sitting far from the ground realities of Jharkhand, seems indifferent to the aggressive evangelism that seeks to uproot and alter the tribal way of life, often with promises of aid followed by abandonment once the conversions are achieved. However, the journalist is alarmed when Hindu groups work to reconnect these communities to their cultural roots, branding the effort as problematic. A recent piece in The Washington Post exemplifies this concern, as it attempts to create tension between Hindus and tribal communities in Jharkhand.
Published on 1 February 2025, the article ‘Hindu nationalists make gains among India’s tribes and spur backlash’ penned by karishma mehrotra accused Hindu groups of running ‘evangelical campaigns’ aimed at converting tribals to Hinduism. It further claimed that organizations like the RSS were undermining tribal cultures by persuading them to identify as part of the larger Hindu community.
This attack comes at a time when Jharkhand is already grappling with significant proselytism and conversion tactics from Muslim and Christian groups. The Washington Post article suggested that right-wing Hindu groups are trying to transform the country into a Hindu nation, aiming to assimilate millions of tribal people who have traditionally been outside the mainstream religious fold.
The piece belittled the efforts of Hindu organizations trying to preserve the cultural identity of the tribal communities, which are at risk due to predatory conversion tactics. It appears the resistance from these groups against evangelical practices has unsettled the interests of the Washington Post.
Contrary to the newspaper’s claims, Hindu groups in Jharkhand aren’t aggressively pushing for conversions. With Hindus already constituting a majority in the state, their main focus is on preventing the large-scale conversions promoted by Muslim and Christian evangelical groups.
The Washington Post also targeted organizations such as Vikas Bharti and Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram. The article accused Vikas Bharti of dividing the tribal communities by distinguishing them between Hindus, Christians, and nature worshippers. It misrepresented an invitation by Kumkum Maitra of Vikas Bharti to local tribals during Shivratri as an attempt to proselytize nature worshippers.
Another organization, Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, was also criticized for allegedly competing with Christian evangelists in neighboring Chhattisgarh. The Washington Post referred to controversial figures to make exaggerated claims about the organization’s activities, including the accusation that Vikas Bharti was conducting ‘ghar wapsi’ (reconversion) of tribals who had previously converted to Christianity.
The article also touched on the ongoing controversy around the Sarna Code, which seeks to classify tribal communities as a distinct religious group. In 2020, the Jharkhand government moved to include Sarna as a separate religion in the 2021 Census. While the BJP supported the initiative, it remains a contentious issue. Some in the RSS believe that tribal communities should be considered part of Hinduism, a belief actively promoted through organizations like Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram.
Sarna Code supporters argue that recognizing the Sarna identity would better protect the cultural practices of tribal communities. However, the Washington Post framed the debate as a conflict between Hindus and ‘nature worshippers’, suggesting that the push for the Sarna Code was a challenge to Hindu organizations’ efforts.
The article concludes by highlighting a tribal nurse working with Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, who allegedly felt forced to identify as Hindu despite identifying as Sarna. This serves to further paint the situation as one of coercion and division.
In sum, the Washington Post‘s article reflects a broader attempt to stir discord and create a divide between Hindu groups and tribal communities in Jharkhand, presenting Hindu efforts to reconnect tribals with their cultural roots as a threat to tribal identity.
Who Is Karishma Mehrotra?
Karishma Mehrotra is a journalist known for her anti-establishment views, working for The Washington Post. She has often been accused of writing articles that criticize the Indian government and promote anti-Hindu sentiments. Despite facing backlash and having some of her narratives debunked, she continues to push these agendas under the guise of journalism, with little regard for the consequences.
Her writings have been viewed as an attempt to tarnish India’s image on international platforms, often through misleading or inaccurate portrayals. Below are examples of her work that highlight this ongoing effort to spread biased narratives about the government.
In an ambitious effort to combat preventable blindness, the Netra Kumbh 2025 initiative was launched during the Maha Kumbh and it will run through 26 February 2025, at Prayagraj. This large-scale humanitarian project aims to provide free comprehensive eye care services to hundreds of thousands of individuals across India.
The campaign has set unprecedented targets, including conducting 500,000 eye tests, distributing 300,000 spectacles, and performing 50,000 free eye operations with the support of 500 eye specialists. This marks a significant scaling up from their 2019 achievement of serving over 200,000 devotees.
Netra Kumbh’s mission addresses a critical health crisis in India, where more than 12.5 million people are visually impaired, many due to preventable causes. The initiative aligns with multiple United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Sustainable Development Goals, including Good Health & Well-Being, Gender Equality, and Reduced Inequalities.
The project’s implementation follows a carefully planned roadmap that began with its ideation phase on 15 August 2024, followed by a groundbreaking ceremony (Bhumi Pujan) on 28 September 2024. The initiative offers a comprehensive range of services including free eye check-ups, medicine distribution, spectacles, and surgical interventions.
*महाकुँभ मेले में कैसी कैसी जन सुविधायें उपलब्ध हैं पर मीडिया में चर्चा तक नही।* pic.twitter.com/K6gQWl5K9E
To ensure widespread impact, Netra Kumbh has established multiple coordination centers across India. The main center is located in Prayagraj at Vajpayee Dental Hospital, with additional offices in Nagpur and Noida. The initiative is actively recruiting volunteers, doctors, hospitals, and optometrists to support its ambitious goals.
Despite challenges posed by the pandemic during their 2021 campaign, the organization successfully provided critical eye care to tens of thousands of patients. Building on this resilience, Netra Kumbh 2025 aims to create a sustainable impact by facilitating surgeries near patients’ home locations, extending their reach beyond the event period.
The initiative welcomes public participation through various channels, including volunteer opportunities and donations. Interested medical professionals, institutions, and volunteers can register through their official channels.
Netra Kumbh 2025 represents one of the world’s largest coordinated efforts to address preventable blindness, combining medical expertise with humanitarian service. The project exemplifies a significant step toward the organization’s vision of creating a corneal blindness-free India.
The Trump administration took decisive action against the contentious United States Agency for International Development (USAID), including placing senior officials on leave, firing contractors, and implementing a broad freeze on foreign assistance. Elon Musk, who now leads the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has called USAID a “criminal organization,” declaring that “it’s time for it to die” in a tweet on February 2nd. In response, the USAID website and its X account were shut down.
For years, USAID has been unofficially viewed as a tool of U.S. regime change operations. Established in the early 1960s to oversee humanitarian aid programs, USAID’s mission has often been entangled with covert activities involving regime change, secret funding, and undermining sovereign nations.
India has been a focal point for USAID’s efforts. In addition to direct financial aid, USAID has funded numerous projects and NGOs working internationally, some of which operate in India with the aim of undermining national and Hindu interests. For instance, the Atlantic Council, financed by USAID and backed by the U.S. “deep state,” launched a campaign using journalists and ‘fact-checkers’ to censor private messages on platforms like WhatsApp, in an attempt to weaken support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Notably, billionaire George Soros, who created a $1 billion fund to challenge nationalist leaders like Modi and Donald Trump, was also a major donor to this initiative.
The U.S. deep state, with its extensive influence, is like a complex web of interconnected interests. For example, credible sources suggest that USAID and the deep state have significant ties with the Indian National Congress, particularly through Sam Pitroda, a key mentor to Rahul Gandhi and the Congress overseas chair.
Over the years, USAID has managed large budgets for its initiatives, which have included supporting regime changes, promoting favorable governments, and destabilizing political leaders opposed by left-liberals. A significant portion of these activities has been funded by U.S. taxpayers, with the agency overseeing more than $40 billion in funding for the 2023 fiscal year—accounting for over a third of the Department of State’s budget for Foreign Operations and related programs.
As Trump and Musk’s DOGE intensify their scrutiny of USAID, more layers of previously hidden interference are coming to light. OpIndia reveals one particularly disturbing aspect—its role in efforts to convert Hindus in India to Christianity, with substantial financial backing from USAID.
World Vision presents itself as a secular organization focused on humanitarian efforts, claiming not to engage in proselytization or let its religious beliefs influence its partnerships or the children it serves. On its website’s FAQ section, the NGO asserts that recipients of its aid do not need to be Christian, and that proselytization is not part of its activities. World Vision India similarly states that while it is a Christian organization, its actions are driven solely by the love of Jesus Christ, without attempting to exploit the poor for conversions. Despite these claims, there is evidence to suggest that the organization’s activities may not align with its stated principles.
World Vision has received funding from USAID, which has been linked to efforts that some view as predatory proselytization disguised as humanitarian work. Many Christian missionary organizations, including World Vision, are accused of exploiting the vulnerabilities of the poor and marginalized to convert them to Christianity. The Hinduphobia Tracker, which tracks religiously motivated hate crimes against Hindus, defines “Proselytization by Inducement” as a form of religious conversion that involves exploiting an individual’s economic hardships—such as offering financial support, job opportunities, or medical care—in exchange for conversion.
World Vision’s mission statement offers further insight into its intentions. The statement on its website highlights the organization’s Christian identity and mission to “follow Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,” promote human transformation, and “bear witness to the good news of the Kingdom of God.” The explicit goal of encouraging individuals to “respond to the Gospel” indicates that evangelism is central to its work, despite the organization’s claim of being non-proselytizing.
Image Source: OpIndia
This contradiction was noted in a 2009 HuffPost article, which pointed out that World Vision Singapore’s mission statement acknowledges the commitment to disciple followers of Jesus Christ and spread the Gospel through service, words, and actions.
Additionally, the organization’s websites present a dichotomy. While wvi.org, the main website, claims a neutral stance, worldvision.org—access to which is blocked in India—clearly showcases World Vision’s proselytizing efforts, including a section dedicated to partnerships with churches. On this page, World Vision expresses its goal of mobilizing the church and spreading the Gospel beyond the church walls, a direct indication of proselytization efforts aimed at vulnerable communities. The website also lists several faith-based organizations involved in similar evangelical activities, especially targeting indigenous populations in India.
World Vision’s financial documents, such as the IRS Form 990 for the fiscal year ending 2023, further confirm the organization’s Christian identity and its classification as a church, reinforcing its missionary focus.
Reports from as early as 2002 and 2010, such as one by journalist S.K. Shashikumar, document World Vision’s proselytization efforts in India. In Gujarat, the organization conducted Bible schools and spiritual retreats for children and young people, while in Orissa, it helped local churches by organizing leadership training for pastors. In tribal areas like Gajapati and Bhil, World Vision has been actively involved in church development and community outreach, positioning itself as an evangelical force within these regions.
Despite its claims of neutrality, World Vision’s actions, financial affiliations, and mission statement suggest that proselytization remains a core component of its operations, particularly in regions like India, where it works among marginalized communities.
World Vision Advocacy: A Tool for U.S. Foreign Policy
Iain Buchanan, author of Armies of God: Study in Militant Christianity, argues that missionary organizations like World Vision are instrumental in advancing U.S. foreign policy goals. In a 2018 interview with DNA, Buchanan emphasized that the U.S. government strategically utilizes Christian organizations to serve its foreign policy interests. He claimed that the line between religious and secular efforts is intentionally blurred, with over 600 U.S.-based evangelical groups forming a vast, highly organized network targeting non-Christians globally.
Buchanan further asserted that World Vision functions as an extension of the U.S. State Department, alongside other major evangelical organizations such as Campus Crusade, Youth with a Mission, and Samaritan’s Purse. He suggested that these partnerships are not only aligned with U.S. interests but also receive support through specific legislation like the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998.
Given what we now know about USAID’s operations, World Vision’s receipt of billions in funding, its proselytizing activities in countries like India, and the U.S. Department of State’s involvement in regime-change operations, Buchanan’s 2018 claims seem increasingly accurate.
World Vision has been involved in lobbying efforts as well. According to its latest IRS filing, the organization spent over $180,000 on lobbying, particularly around elections, and has direct connections with government officials and legislators. This adds further weight to the argument that World Vision’s advocacy efforts are deeply tied to influencing U.S. foreign policy, particularly in areas related to foreign aid and Christian missionary activities. World Vision Advocacy itself states its goal is to influence U.S. foreign assistance policy, driven by Christian faith. If its advocacy targets foreign aid policy in the U.S. with a Christian agenda, this suggests the organization’s efforts are centered on expanding Christianity both within and outside the U.S. With billions in funding from USAID directed to Christian organizations, coupled with its classification as a church by the IRS, it is clear that World Vision is less a humanitarian entity and more an arm of U.S. foreign policy.
Image Source: OpIndiaImage Source: OpIndia
World Evangelical Alliance: A Key Partner of World Vision
World Vision partners with several faith-based organizations in its humanitarian efforts, including the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA). The WEA’s own mission statement reveals its theological goals, aiming to establish Christianity worldwide. Its statement, “A healthy Church for every people. The shalom of God for every nation,” reflects its mission to spread the gospel and create a global Christian “kingdom.”
Image Source: OpIndiaImage Source: OpIndia
The WEA is governed by an International Council made up of regional representatives, one of whom is Dr. Snehal Pinto, director of Ryan International Schools in India. Ryan International has faced scrutiny for alleged involvement in proselytizing activities. In 2017, the tragic murder of a student at a Ryan International school highlighted concerns about the school’s strict religious practices, including the forced promotion of Christianity. A former student accused the school of replacing educational displays with Bible verses, removing Hindu symbols, and pressuring students to sing hymns in extreme weather conditions.
Dr. Pinto’s association with WEA adds to concerns about the evangelical nature of World Vision’s partners, particularly in India, where the conversion efforts of such organizations are a significant issue.
The WEA’s Evangelical Mission
Thomas Schirrmacher, the CEO of the WEA, has been open about the organization’s evangelical goals. Schirrmacher has expressed that religious freedom includes the right to convert others, and that the WEA’s mission is not to promote world peace, but to create a space for Christian witness in a diverse world. In 2021, the WEA signed an agreement with one of the largest Muslim organizations, agreeing to attempt to convert Muslims without causing conflict. This further affirms that proselytizing is central to WEA’s mission, and by extension, World Vision’s.
In 2008, WEA admitted to engaging in proselytism, stating that its “Mission Commission” is focused on spreading Christianity. The WEA’s 2023 forecast also reiterates its goal of converting more people to Christianity and increasing its global influence. This includes endorsing practices like “Yeshu Yeshu” in India, where Hinduism is appropriated for forced conversions.
With WEA’s clear evangelical objectives and its partnership with World Vision, it’s evident that conversion to Christianity and spreading the gospel among the “vulnerable” are central to the operations of both organizations, even though they often present themselves as humanitarian entities.
Behind the Facade of a ‘Humanitarian Organization’: World Vision’s Alleged Links to Hamas
World Vision, often presented as a humanitarian organization, has been embroiled in serious allegations regarding its financial support of Hamas, a designated terrorist group responsible for the October 7 attacks in Gaza. These attacks led to the deaths of over 1,200 Israelis and the kidnapping of more than 200 individuals. The accusations against World Vision come in the context of its Gaza operations, particularly the actions of Mohammad El-Halabi, the organization’s Gaza manager.
In 2021, the Israeli Registrar of Non-Profits filed a petition to dissolve a local branch of World Vision, citing allegations of financial mismanagement and terror financing. After an extensive investigation, the Registrar concluded that World Vision had failed to carry out its claimed humanitarian efforts and instead had diverted funds, including to Hamas. The case centers on allegations that El-Halabi directed $50 million in aid meant for humanitarian projects to Hamas. While World Vision’s Australian branch denied these accusations, insisting on proper financial oversight, an independent audit revealed concerning discrepancies. The audit showed unclear financial transactions, multiple bank accounts, and payments to individuals whose activities were not in line with the organization’s declared humanitarian missions. Furthermore, checks from the non-profit were found in the possession of Hamas operatives.
In addition to the Hamas allegations, World Vision has been connected to other controversial activities. According to Sam Westrop of the Middle East Forum, World Vision also assisted in directing funds to the Islamic Relief Agency, a Sudanese organization with known ties to Osama bin Laden. USAID reportedly funded this organization with $125,000, despite the fact that the group had been designated as a terrorist entity. USAID officials were allegedly aware of this designation. Westrop’s claim underscores a broader issue of oversight failures, with the Israeli Registrar concluding that World Vision was either negligent in its financial oversight or complicit in diverting funds to terror groups.
World Council of Churches and World Vision’s Partnership: Links to Extremist Groups
The World Council of Churches (WCC), another key partner of World Vision, has also been linked to controversial organizations and individuals. The WCC describes itself as a fellowship of churches dedicated to unity in Christ and advancing Christian missions globally. However, its partnerships, including with organizations like Bread for the World, raise questions about the funding of groups with potential links to radical or separatist elements.
One such example involves Harsh Mander, an Indian activist with ties to groups that have been associated with separatist and extremist activities in India. Bread for the World, funded by the WCC, has supported Mander’s initiatives, which have drawn criticism for promoting divisive ideologies. These connections highlight concerns about the broader networks within which World Vision operates, raising questions about the nature of its partnerships and the ideological underpinnings of some of its affiliated organizations.
The World Council of Churches (WCC) is funded by several governments worldwide, either directly or indirectly. According to NGO Monitor, one of the largest contributors to WCC is Bread for the World, a German-based NGO.
In 2018, a report titled “Amarnath Yatra: A Militarized Pilgrimage” was released, undermining the Hindu faith. Reports found it was published by the Jammu Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS) in collaboration with Equitable Tourism Options (Equations), based in Bangalore. The report had links to Islamist groups, Urban Naxals, and Christian organizations, including Bread for the World.
Equations, which co-published the report, has received significant funding from Bread for the World in the past. The NGO focuses on non-exploitative tourism and advocates for democracy in decision-making processes. Their funding records reveal substantial contributions from Bread for the World and Misereor. In 2018 alone, Equations received over Rs. 26 lakhs from Bread for the World and more than Rs. 24 lakhs from Misereor.
Bread for the World describes itself as a collective Christian voice, working towards ending world hunger. The organization has close ties with evangelical churches and partners with other organizations like Oxfam. In India, it funds several NGOs, including the South Central India Network for Development Alternatives (SCINDeA), which focuses on marginalized groups like tribals and Dalits, and the Rongmei Naga Baptist Association (RNBA), which runs a theological seminary.
One of the most significant recipients of funding from Bread for the World is the Centre for World Solidarity (CWS), which promotes a rights-based approach to governance and human rights. Bread for the World also contributes to the Socio-Legal Information Center (SLIC), including its Human Rights Law Network (HRLN). HRLN is involved in multiple human rights causes, including the defense of Rohingya refugees, and has supported controversial issues such as the abolition of sedition laws.
Harsh Mander, a prominent social activist, also has links with Bread for the World. After leaving the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Mander became active in civil society organizations and is currently the director of the Centre for Equity Studies (CES), which has received funding from Christian evangelical groups, including Bread for the World. Mander has been involved in various contentious causes, such as advocating for religious conversions, opposing the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), and supporting controversial figures like Ishrat Jahan and Yakub Memon.
Mander’s organization, Karwaan-e-Mohabbat, published a misleading report on violence at Aligarh Muslim University, which was later debunked. Mander was also involved in protests against the CAA and was part of a group that supported the Delhi anti-Hindu riots. His close associations with foreign-funded NGOs have raised concerns about external influence in India’s domestic affairs.
Other NGOs funded by Bread for the World include INSAF, which also opposed the CAA and contributed to sentiments leading up to the Delhi riots. Additionally, Bread for the World has ties with USAID, with USAID administrator Samantha Power praising the organization in recent months.
In 2024, the National Council of Churches in India (NCCI), affiliated with WCC, condemned the Uttar Pradesh government’s proposed anti-conversion bill. This bill aims to further strengthen anti-conversion laws, which have been a point of contention for organizations like the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA), which criticized India’s anti-conversion laws at the UN.
WEA, which also maintains close ties with WCC, misrepresented the violence in Manipur, claiming it was aimed at Christian Kukis when, in reality, the majority of the violence targeted the Hindu Meitei community. Additionally, WEA has previously vilified Hindus and the BJP government, especially in Karnataka, which was ruled by the BJP in 2012.
In 2023, Jayakumar Christian, CEO of World Vision India, expressed support for controversial figures such as Stan Swamy, a suspected Urban Naxal involved in the Bhima Koregaon violence. He also made alarming statements about introducing Hindus to Jesus Christ, showcasing a divisive religious agenda.
World Vision India, funded by USAID and Bread for the World, came under scrutiny when the Modi government suspended its Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) license in 2022. While left-wing narratives framed the suspension as an attack on an organization helping the poor, the government’s decision was based on concerns about World Vision India’s religious activities and foreign influence under the guise of humanitarian work.
Chronology of Actions Against World Vision:
Tax Audit and Assessments Background:
In the fiscal year 2016-17, the Income Tax Department (IT Department) initiated a Special Audit under Section 142(2A) of the Income Tax Act, 1961 for the Assessment Year (AY) 2014-15 (Financial Year 2013-14). On July 31, 2017, the Society received a demand notice under Section 156 of the Act, requiring payment of INR 101.92 crores, based on the IT Department’s evaluation of allowable expenses. The Society appealed on August 24, 2017, pointing out legal and factual mistakes in the IT Department’s assessment. To prevent being categorized as an “assessee in default,” the Society paid INR 10 crores as part of the tax demand.
Direct Bank Deductions and Additional Tax Demands:
In February 2018, the IT Department initiated direct deductions of 20% of the total tax demand from the Society’s bank accounts as part of enforcement action.
Assessment for the Year 2017-18 (Financial Year 2016-17):
On December 24, 2019, the Deputy Commissioner of Income Tax (Exemptions) issued an order under Section 143(3), calculating a payable tax of INR 31.39 crores. A demand notice was issued under Section 156, stipulating payment within 30 days or an appeal within 60 days. The Society filed an appeal on January 18, 2020, challenging legal and factual errors in the IT Department’s findings. To avoid the risk of being deemed an “assessee in default,” the Society made a payment of INR 1.56 crores as part of the tax demand.
Assessment for the Year 2018-19 (Financial Year 2017-18):
On September 14, 2021, the Additional/Joint/Deputy/Assistant Commissioner of Income Tax issued an order under Section 143(3), determining a payable tax of INR 5 crores. A demand notice under Section 156 required payment within 30 days or an appeal within 60 days. The Society paid INR 5 crores to avoid being categorized as an “assessee in default” and also filed a writ petition in the Madras High Court, contesting legal errors in the IT Department’s order.
Assessment for the Year 2021-22 (Financial Year 2020-21):
On December 30, 2022, the Income Tax Department’s Assessment Unit issued an order under Section 143(3), calculating a payable tax of INR 9.99 crores. A demand notice was issued under Section 156, requiring payment within 30 days or an appeal within 60 days. The Society filed a writ petition in the Madras High Court, arguing legal errors in the IT Department’s assessment. The Madras High Court granted an interim stay on the assessment order and tax demand.
Allegations Against World Vision:
According to some sources, the Modi government canceled World Vision’s FCRA (Foreign Contribution Regulation Act) license due to alleged involvement in illegal conversion activities in India. The cancellation of the license effectively halted the flow of hundreds of crores being funneled into India for religious conversion, particularly targeting Hindus, a practice allegedly carried out by World Vision since its establishment in 1951.
In conclusion, the World Vision International, as reported by Congress, has received billions of dollars from USAID, with nearly $2 billion provided over the span of 10 years. As one of the largest recipients of USAID funds, World Vision India received hundreds of crores annually from this U.S. government-backed funding. Despite presenting itself as a humanitarian organization, World Vision has been accused of using its resources to promote Christian fundamentalism and convert Hindus, particularly targeting vulnerable groups such as women and children.
Operating in India since 1951, World Vision has reportedly been involved in conversion activities for over 70 years. In 2024, the Indian government revoked its FCRA license, significantly disrupting its activities in the country. Although USAID funding has been frozen, there are concerns that such organizations might seek alternative funding sources or renewed support through other channels from the U.S. government.
