PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE / Dehradun
An alleged religious conversion racket operating under the guise of education and social services for children was uncovered in Dehradun’s Premnagar area on Tuesday following a surprise inspection by the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR). Acting on the instructions of SCPCR chairwoman Geeta Khanna, a team from the commission visited a suspicious institution in Khairi village, located in the Premnagar area of Dehradun. The institution, identified as “Medical Ambassador” appeared to be conducting activities in the name of children’s education, social services and assistance. Khanna informed that during the inspection, the commission’s team discovered various documents and suggested that the institution’s true purpose was not educational but rather aimed at attracting individuals to a particular religious ideology.
She further said that the inspection revealed a lack of a clear and systematic educational framework at the local level. A staff member from Manipur was employed at the institute and a family from the Pauri district had resided on the campus for several years, actively involved in the institute’s activities.
The documents and preliminary findings suggested that under the guise of helping disabled children and their families, the institution had been attempting to secure financial assistance from various departments and organisations. Furthermore, it appears as if they were attempting to influence people’s religious beliefs by offering various benefits, assistance and facilities. During the inspection, some records indicated a potential link between the institute’s activities and a hospital located on Canal Road, warranting further investigation, she said.
Khanna stated that the available documents also indicated receipt of funding from foreign sources. She said that the documents, records and information obtained during the inspection clearly indicate that the institution’s activities were not solely focused on educational or social services. Due to several matters falling outside the commission’s direct jurisdiction, all documents, records, files and other materials have been handed over to the police for further investigation and necessary legal action. Khanna stated that if the investigation confirms any illegal activities, misuse of foreign funding, acts related to conversion or violations of children’s rights, strict action would be enforced against the individuals and institutions involved according to the law.
