CIA terms VHP, Bajrang Dal as 'religious militant outfits'
The United States' Central Investigation Agency (CIA) has termed Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) as 'religious militant outfits' in its World Factbook. Notably, Mohan Bhagwat led Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) was called a 'nationalist organization' in the document. All Parties Hurriyat Conference was labelled as a separatist group, and the Jamiat Ulema-e Hind (Mahmood Madani) was given the tag of 'religious organization'
Details you should know about CIA's Factbook
The CIA's Factbook, like its name suggests, is a bank of information. It provides information about 267 world entities including details on 'history, people, government, economy, energy, geography, communications, transportation, and military'. Research students and non-government organization refer to this Factbook as and when required.
Obviously, Bajrang Dal was furious with the tag
After the document was released, a Bajrang Dal leader said, the agency had no right to label it a militant outfit. "We have international branches as well but we've never troubled anyone. We are nationalists. We will see what can be done to get this right," the leader insisted. Reportedly, both VHP and Bajrang Dal are looking for legal options to remove the tag.
However, Bajrang Dal and VHP's past paint a different picture
Bajrang Dal has gained a notorious name after its members chose to wield swords and weapons in the open many times. On Valentine's Day, this year (much like every year) the activists ransacked Manjeera Mall in Hyderabad. VHP activists recently created ruckus at Taj Mahal's entrance alleging it blocked the path of a 400-year-old temple. Their action created panic among visitors, especially foreigners.
Meanwhile, CIA Factbook doesn't include PoK in India's map
Apart from naming Hindu outfits as militant ones, the CIA's Factbook chose to omit Pakistan Occupied Kashmir out of India's map. Our stand since decades clarifies Kashmir is an integral part of the country. It included parts of West Kashmir in Pakistan and named the border as '1972 Line of Control'. The CIA Factbook is out in the public domain.
