UK govt launches probe against Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh
21 Feb 2015 12:44 AM GMT
It was learnt that recently HSS has made anti-Muslim and Christian remarks to students at a camp, which was caught on camera.
Sources said, Britain’s charities watchdog opened a statutory probe after concerns were raised on its “extremist” views and “improper” working this week. HSS came under scanner after the ITV Network in its documentary “Charities Behaving Badly” showed the HSS teacher at a youth camp in Herefordshire making controversial remarks against other religions when responding to questions.
Michelle Russell, director of investigations, monitoring and enforcement at Charity Commission, said, “I have gone through the video footage and it is a serious matter. This needs to be inquired by the cops.”
She said, “The public will be concerned about the footage and its implications in society. We can reassure the public that we take these issues seriously.”
The statutory inquiry will investigate comments made by the individual invited to speak at the charity event in the presence of the charity’s beneficiaries and the management and oversight by the trustees of such events.
“These kinds of incidents illustrate why it is important for the regulator to have the right tools to do the job. There are currently loopholes in the existing regulatory framework which we are seeking to close by looking for increased powers in the draft Protection of Charities Bill,” Russell said.
The commission said that in the case of HSS UK, this is new information that has been brought to its attention and that has resulted in immediate regulatory action. Meanwhile, it was learnt that RSS had asked the ruling government to look in to the matter in a diplomatic level.
Sources said, Britain’s charities watchdog opened a statutory probe after concerns were raised on its “extremist” views and “improper” working this week. HSS came under scanner after the ITV Network in its documentary “Charities Behaving Badly” showed the HSS teacher at a youth camp in Herefordshire making controversial remarks against other religions when responding to questions.
Michelle Russell, director of investigations, monitoring and enforcement at Charity Commission, said, “I have gone through the video footage and it is a serious matter. This needs to be inquired by the cops.”
She said, “The public will be concerned about the footage and its implications in society. We can reassure the public that we take these issues seriously.”
The statutory inquiry will investigate comments made by the individual invited to speak at the charity event in the presence of the charity’s beneficiaries and the management and oversight by the trustees of such events.
“These kinds of incidents illustrate why it is important for the regulator to have the right tools to do the job. There are currently loopholes in the existing regulatory framework which we are seeking to close by looking for increased powers in the draft Protection of Charities Bill,” Russell said.
The commission said that in the case of HSS UK, this is new information that has been brought to its attention and that has resulted in immediate regulatory action. Meanwhile, it was learnt that RSS had asked the ruling government to look in to the matter in a diplomatic level.
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