The Rising People’s Party (RPP), a new political party based in Nagaland, has sought clarification from the Nagaland government regarding a “controversial” programme at Nagaland House in New Delhi on December 16.
The Rising People’s Party said that the event was a “RSS backed programme”.
“According to reports, on December 16, the RSS-backed Bharatiya Christian Manch organized a pre-Christmas programme at Nagaland House in New Delhi. RSS leader Indresh Kumar is reported to have passed remarks on conversion provoking angry reactions from United Christian Forum, an umbrella body of Christian organisations that monitors human rights violation against Christians in India,” said the RPP in a press release on December 22.
The RPP said that the December 16 programme “seems to have been a propaganda meeting” propagating a political agenda.
The party further said that the “controversial programme” made headlines in most of the national daily newspapers.
“This avoidable controversy has soiled the image of Nagaland for which the state government is solely responsible,” it cautioned.
The press release then said: “The Rising People’s Party strongly condemns the usage of Nagaland House for religious propaganda and political party activities.”
The RPP added that except for official functions of the state government, no Nagaland House in any part of India is permitted to allow political party activities within its premises and such is highly condemnable.
“So, the moot question is: Who authorized the use of Nagaland House for hosting this politically inclined so-called pre-Christmas celebration?” the RPP asked.
“Who were the state co-organizers of the programme?” the party further questioned. It then said that the state government is expected to issue a clarification on the issue.
It then said that given the ramifications, the state government should apologize to the people of the state. “Secondly, it should immediately issue a notification debarring such activities in Nagaland Houses in the future,” the RPP added.
