Opinion Knocking NGOs

“The prime minister’s unusually forthright and strong stand on the Koodankulam protesters is welcome,” says its lead edit. Claiming that it was the first to talk about the “devious role played by the Church” in spearheading the protest,the Organiser alleges that church leaders at the level of cardinals and bishops are directly involved in orchestrating a chorus against the nuclear power project. It also argues that Tamil Nadu is the largest recipient of foreign funds,going by Foreign (Contribution) Registration Act figures released by the home ministry,and adds that most NGOs are “extension counters of the Church,dabbling in religious conversions rather than social work”.

Saying that the government has frozen accounts of some NGOs for diversion of funds from its intended purpose,the Organiser contends that this is only the tip of the iceberg. It says that,while the population of Koodankulam is not more than 300,people have been brought from outside in truckloads and provided food and money to sit in dharnas. “It is not possible to sustain an agitation for over five months without outside support”,the edit says. It says there is no effective forum in the country to monitor the working of NGOs,and demands that a system be put in place that can not do this,but also allow a redressal route for those who have complaints against them.

VHP’s good works

The Organiser noted the re-conversion of 3,127 converted Christians to Hinduism last month through the “Paravartanjajna (homecoming)” programme organised by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad in Sundargarh in Odisha.

According to the article,the VHP runs over 40,000 schools,residential schools and colleges for tribal children in tribal areas all over the country,which produce doctors,scientists and government officers. Self-help centres and vocational guidance units have been set up. It says that the programme was also attended by the VHP international working president,Pravin Togadia,who had demanded that a bill be brought in Parliament delisting tribals who have converted to Christianity from availing the benefits of reservation.

Gunning for Geelani

The Panchjanya has criticised Hurriyat Conference hardliner Syed Shah Geelani for his visa recommendation letter for Pakistan to alleged Lashkar-e-Toiba militant Ahtesham Malik and asked for stringent action against him.

The Panchjanya editorial alleges that anti-national and separatist elements are emboldened to speak against India because the Centre always turns a blind eye to such incidents. It argues that Geelani’s recommendation letter shows that he is not only hand-in-glove with separatist and terrorist forces,but also highlights the importance he is given by the Pakistani establishment. “This is the same Geelani who openly advocates Pakistan’s cause in the Kashmir valley,who uses ISI funds and the network of Imams to instigate the stone pelters to attack security forces,issues Islamic calendar for the Kashmiris and compels them to follow it,besides coming to Delhi on the pretext of medical treatment and using other forums along with Arundhati Roy to raise the cry for separation of Kashmirfrom India in the backdrop of banners like ‘Azaadi,the only way.”

People like Geelani and Arundhati Roy,who “should actually be behind bars for treason,are enjoying privileges at government expenditure”,says the article. The Panchjanya argues that action against those like Geelani will go a long way in sending a clear message to other separatist forces.