India’s opposition politicians have protested inside parliament against the alleged mass conversion of about 200 Muslims to Hinduism in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh.
Opposition MPs on Tuesday attacked the conservative Hindu Bharatiya Janata Party over the conversions in Agra city, reportedly under allurement by groups linked to the ruling party’s ideological parent, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
“This is a serious matter as allurement was given to poor [people] to get them converted,” Dalit leader Mayawati was quoted as saying by Times of India website.
The opposition has asked the government to ensure the religious freedom of minorities as enshrined in the country’s constitution.
“The House and the country need reassurance that the Constitution will not be violated,” Congress leader Anand Sharma was quoted as saying by the NDTV channel.
NDTV reported that a police complaint has been filed after a villager alleged that Muslims from a slum in Agra, the city that houses the famous Taj Mahal, were allured to convert.
“We were told we will get a ration card, Aadhar [ID] card, and that the police will not bother us. We are poor so what do we do?” NDTV quoted one of the converts as saying.
Lure is also a force to change your mind. So, you agree that such conversions are not happening due to free will. People involved in such conversions are exploiting poverty.
On the other hand, BJP MP Vinay Katiyar said there should be no objection to the programme as those who converted were originally Hindus and it was like homecoming for them.
This Christmas, according to reports, the RSS plans to convert at least 4,000 Christian and 1,000 Muslim families into Hinduism under what it calls the ‘Ghar Wapsi’ (returning home) programme.
Organisers claim the event in Aligarh will be one of the biggest ever conversion programmes.
It has chosen the city, Aligarh, and the day, Dec 25, carefully. “Aligarh was chosen because it’s time we wrest the Hindu city from Muslims. It is a city of brave Rajputs and their temples on whose remains Muslim institutions have been established,” RSS regional pracharak Rajeshwar Singh reportedly said.
Christmas was chosen as the day for conversion because the event is a “shakti pariksha” (test of strength) for both religions, said Mr Singh. “If their religion is better, they can stop them. It is a test for both of us. If they come to us on Christmas, it is the biggest rejection of the faith.”
They will remain low castes even after conversion. The same lower caste which was introduced by Muslims.
The families have already been identified from 40 slums in Aligarh, Bulandshahr and Hathras, Singh said. “The 4,000 Christian families belong to the Valmiki samaj. The (low caste) Valmiki Samaj is the feet of the Hindu society. We are incomplete without them.”
really I couldn’t get your community comment. Do yo want to say that Sindhi Hindus can’t do much about such conversions and therefore they support parties like BJP and RSS?
What are your views about the statements by MPs in Ali’s post above? Still, you will not call this as grave as conversions in Sindh? At least, Sindh assembly condemn such conversion for lip service. when MPs can give such statements publicly, one can think what would be their attitude while dealing with the public.
