Opposition slams VHP's 'Ghar Vapsi' programme, calls it 'forceful conversion'

Ahmedabad: The Opposition on Sunday sharpened its attack on Hindu outfit Vishwa Hindu Parishad which claimed to have reconverted over 200 Christian families to Hinduism yesterday in Gujarat's Valsad district.

Accusing VHP of carrying out forceful conversion, Congress senior leader Digvijay Singh said, “Personally I've no problem on Anti Conversion Law as VHP and Bajrang Dal are doing the same. Conversion by force and inducement.”

Personally I have no problem on Anti Conversion Law because VHP and Bajrang Dal is doing just that. Conversion by force and inducement. — digvijaya singh (@digvijaya_28) December 21, 2014

RSS wants Anti Conversion Law against conversion by force and inducement . Are they sure? Would they treat Ghar Vapsi as Conversion ? — digvijaya singh (@digvijaya_28) December 21, 2014

Extreme Right Wing is flexing its Muscles.VHP/RSS through Hindutatva and their Organisations through rewriting History and Economic Policies — digvijaya singh (@digvijaya_28) December 21, 2014

Criticising the crusade, Father Dominic told Zee News that the VHP is forcefully converting people.

“I don't accept that anyone who has been a Christian will convert to other religion by personal choice. VHP is forcing people and luring them to convert their religion. I've got information that in Bihar people were threatened with dire consequences if they do not convert. These people were told that they will be ostracized if they would refuse to accept Hinduism,” he said.

CPI(M) leader, D Raja also backed the Opposition voice and said, "India is not a Hindu Rashtra, but a democratic republic.”

Meanwhile, Gujarat government spokesperson Nitin Patel said that they had the information about several families willing to convert to Hinduism.

“Gujarat government has nothing to do with it. The people converted willingly. However, if their will be any complaint regarding forceful conversion then we will take action,” he said.

Clearing BJP's stand on conversion issue, party leader Shahnawaz Hussain told ANI that the party is against forcefull conversion, but causing disruption in House won't get Opposition anywhere.

“If Opposition is really concerned, they should support the government for anti-conversion bill,” said Hussain.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Saturday called for an anti conversion bill in Parliament. “Bring law against conversion in Parliament if you don't like conversion,” Bhagwat was quoted as saying by PTI.

After organising its 'Ghar Vapsi' programme, the right-wing outfit, VHP, yesterday said the re-conversion was "voluntary" and not by force.

"As part of the ongoing 'Ghar-Vaapsi' programme, VHP today re-converted 225 people from Christian community and took them back into Hindu religion," said Valsad district VHP chief Natu Patel.

He said VHP organised a 'Maha Yagnya' (ritual of the sacred fire) for "purification" of the tribals before taking them back in Hindu-fold and also gave each of them a copy of Bhagwad Gita.

Another VHP worker, Ashok Sharma, said around 3,000 people had gathered at the 'Ghar-Vaapsi' programme in Valsad, which culminated on Saturday.

(With Agency inputs)