WASHINGTON: Two Hindu groups in India – Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) andBajrang Dal have been categorised as “militant religious outfits” whileRashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) was referred to as a nationalistorganisation by the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
Changes in update to the CIA World Factbook triggered widespread protestsin India after the categorisation of Hindu groups as militant religiousoutfits and showcasing a part of Indian held Kashmir as part of Pakistan ona map.
Protests said that the changes “exposed the CIA’s anti-India” stance andcritcised the categorisation of Hindu groups as militant organisations,arguing that the CIA itself “spreads terror across the world for thebenefit of America.”
The classification of All Parties Hurriyat Conference as a “separatistgroup” also angered protesters who said it should have been categorised asa terrorist organisation.
VHP leader Pravin Togadhia and RSS leader Moham Bhagwat were referred asamong those who lead “numerous religious or militant/chauvinisticorganisation; various separatist groups seeking greater communal and/orregional autonomy.”