VHP threatens actors Nagma, Johnny Lever for "Propagating Christianity"

Two Hindu fundamentalist organisations - the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and and its militant youth wing Bajrang Dal, have threatened to launch agitation against Bollywood actors Nagma and Johnny Lever, alleging that they propagate Christianity and proselytizing Hindus.

VHP leader Umesh Rane has alleged that large hoarding have come up at Mumbai railway stations and on buses using pictures of Nagma and Johnny Lever propagating and spreading Christianity.

"If they don't stop these ads immediately, we will hold Maha Aarti and havans in front of their residences," Rane was quoted as saying.

Rane alleged that both Nagma and Johnny Lever were collaborating with Christian missionaries and trying to proselytize Hindus.

He said, a booklet with 18 stories depict both the actors as claiming that their lives changed for the better after becoming Christians. "If they dont' stop tis, we will teach them a lesson VHP-style", he said.

Nagma, a well-known bollywood actress whose mother is a Muslim and father a Hindu has embraced Christianity some years ago. She has acted in acted in a broad range of India's languages: Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, Bengali, Bhojpuri, Punjabi, and now Marathi.

Johnny Lever is a film actor and one of the most popular comedians in Hindi cinema, 13 Filmfare Awards nominations in Best Comedian Category, and has won the award twice.

Nagma and Johnny Lever are known to be quite vocal about their faith in Christ and have shared their faith whenever and wherever they get chance.

The threat raised by the Hindu fundamentalists is due to the various advertisements put up by the "Power to Change India" initiatives that put hoardings in trains and buses across Mumbai city.

"Power to Change India" (www.powertochangeindia.com) seeks to contribute toward the fulfillment of the Great Commission in India and all of Asia by assisting believers in the God of all Creation in communicating the good news of the Gospel.

"Power to Change is a community of believers, which mobilizes people to live a life of bold and adventurous faith. We call this a JOURNEY of FAITH. Discover GOD through his son Jesus. This is not a philosophy. It is an experience. Experience the power to change. Be inspired and be an inspiration," the official website stated.