Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai orders scrutiny of NGOs to check if foreign aid is used for 'illegal conversion'

RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai has ordered scrutiny of NGOs in the state to ensure that foreign aid is not being used for "illegal activities, including religious conversion".
The CM warned that strict action would be taken against NGOs that are found to be involved in illegal activities.
"Several NGOs receive aid from abroad for their work related to health and education. But it has come to our notice that such funds are used more for religious conversion than health and education," Sai told reporters at Raipur airport on Friday.
Sai alleged that many international agencies operating in the state "mislead and lure innocent people" to convert them on the pretext of healing.
"Such matters should be investigated in-depth to ensure that the fund given to these NGOs is being used properly for the actual purpose," he said, adding, "I have asked officials to thoroughly scrutinize and inspect the activities of NGOs that receive foreign funds and ensure that the money is used for appropriate purposes." Chhattisgarh govt issued a statement that the CM has directed inspection of such NGOs. "It's immoral to encourage people to change their faith or religion through allurements and by taking advantage of their illiteracy and poverty," he said.
Chief minister also said that it's an immoral act to encourage people changing their faith and religion through allurements and taking advantage of their illiteracy, and poverty. It's also against the spirit of Constitution of India, to claim before the innocent people of healing and spiritual benefits upon switching religion.
"Some NGOs are misusing foreign aid to carry out illegal activities like religious conversion. Our country is a secular nation, where every person has the freedom to follow the religion of his choice," Sai said.
The Chhattisgarh govt respects all religions and to maintain communal harmony in the state is its top priority, and if any organization tries to destabilize society through religious conversion, the govt will not tolerate it, CM said.
The state govt will take necessary steps in collaboration with the Centre and enforcement agencies to curb such activities.TNN