The Central Intelligence Agency, in its ‘World Factbook’, has categorised Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal under “political pressure groups”, defined as organisations that are involved in politics or that exert political pressure but whose leaders do not stand for legislative election. The CIA has named the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal as “religious militant organisations” in the list.
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad today threatened to launch an agitation against the American intelligence agency CIA, which termed it a "religious militant organisation".
In a statement, the VHP called the Central Intelligence Agency "anti-India" and sought an apology from it.
It was reported that the agency had allegedly termed the VHP and the Bajrang Dal "religious militant organisations".
The Hindu organisation's General Secretary Surendra Jain said it's a nationalist group which works for the country.
Asserting that the CIA's allegations were "baseless" and "false", Jain in a statement said, "The CIA was responsible for creating Osama bin Laden and has no moral right to lecture it."
He said the map of India used by the CIA shows a significant portion of Jammu and Kashmir as non-Indian territory. "This shows the CIA's anti-India mindset. The VHP will launch an agitation against it," he added.
The CIA has also listed the RSS, Hurriyat Conference and Jamiat Ulema-e Hind as “political pressure groups” in India. However, the RSS has been defined as a “nationalist organisation”, the Hurriyat Conference as a “separatist group” and the Jamiat Ulema-e Hind a “religious organisation”.
The World Factbook is prepared by the CIA for the use of US government officials, and its style, format, coverage, and content are primarily designed to meet their requirements. The Factbook is available in the form of a website. It is also available for download for use off-line.
–With inputs from PTI