Using charity for conversions dangerous for democracy: V-P Dhankhar

Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Friday said the structured use of charity to influence the faith of the beneficiary has serious consequences in a democracy.

Warning against forced conversions, Dhankhar said assistance to the needy, marginalised and the vulnerable should be without any strings attached.

The Vice-President reflected on India’s civilisational ethos and said, “Our civilisational ethos tell us never to speak of or publicise charity. Charity is never to be claimed. You do it and you forget about it.”

Addressing students at Adichunchanagiri University in BG Nagara at Mandya in Karnataka today, Dhankhar emphasised that the use of charity to put freedom of faith in captivity was a cause for concern.

“When you influence the faith of the needy, marginalised and the vulnerable, things become really very critical," he said, warning that such actions could have serious consequences for the spirit of nationalism and constitutional values. The Vice-President said Bharat as a nation could guide anyone in the world on inclusivity.

“Surely, we don't need lessons in something we have lived through for more than 5,000 years," he said.

Dhankhar said the philosophy of charity for charity alone was sustainable and made for global peace and harmony. “But some people have a different concept of inclusivity that is destructive of a sense of inclusivity. We have to be extremely cautious and careful,” he said.

The Vice-President lauded the silent charity work by Sri Adichunchanagiri Shikshana Trust, which has 26 Shakha Maths across the world and over 500 educational institutions. These include schools for the differently abled.

Flagging the role of religious institutions during the crisis, Dhankhar said, “In the social sector, the footprint of religious institutions in times of natural calamities and other similar challenges complements governmental efforts. It was demonstrated in full exemplification during COVID. And both the government and such organizations acted hand in hand for the betterment of the people."

The Vice-president cautioned the youth against what he termed "elements in the country who engage extensively in the dissemination of misinformation, disinformation”. “This dissemination is very injurious to national health,” he said.