VHP hits back at NBCC, says RSS link to Nagaland church row ‘misplaced’

NEW DELHI: The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Wednesday criticised the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) over its statement alleging an Assam Rifles raid on a church in Nagaland, saying the remarks against the RSS and VHP were “misplaced” and could create social divisions.The response comes after the NBCC condemned a late-night operation at Samziuram Baptist Church in Peren district on March 9, terming it a violation of religious sanctity and, in its statement, accusing organisations like RSS and VHP of promoting and justifying violence.VHP international president Alok Kumar said the NBCC’s reference to RSS and VHP was “completely out of context” as neither organisation had any role in the incident. He described the remarks as an attempt to “create enmity between different sections of society”. Kumar also cited local inputs, claiming that the village authorities and pastor had indicated there was no harassment or damage during the security operation.He said RSS and VHP are “law-abiding and patriotic organisations” engaged in social service, particularly among marginalised communities.Calling the NBCC statement “mischievous and dishonest”, the VHP urged restraint and cautioned against turning a security-related incident into a religious or ideological controversy.