Parishad secy says re-conversion would give back individual his identity
In a clear indication that ‘Ghar Wapsi’ (re-conversion) programme would continue uninterrupted, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Friday asserted that it is “not a one-off act”. At the same time, the VHP demanded that the Centre enact a “strong” anti-conversion law. “It is not a one-off mechanical act” but a “long process”, said VHP general secretary Champak Rai when asked about the alleged withdrawal of ‘Ghar Wapsi’ programme in Uttar Pradesh. Rai claimed that while conversion weakens the country by breaking cultural identity of an individual, re-conversion would “give him back his identity”.
Giving details of a resolution passed at a meeting of the VHP’s trustees at Hyderabad on December 28-29, Rai said that whosoever loses touch with his forefathers or heritage also gets alienated from his country. “Humko vapas purvajon se jud jaana hai. issey vikas ka raasta khul jayega..(We have to go back to our ancestors, this will open the gates of development),” said the VHP general secretary here while addressing a Press conference.
Asked as to why VHP leader Rajeshwar Singh stopped ‘Ghar Wapsi’ programme in UP, Rai said Singh was not a VHP worker. He said, “Ghar Wapsi is not like pushing a factory button …one-off act, it is a long process” and went on to say that intellectuals and well-read Muslims “should know their roots…it is a process”. Rai said VHP will have 250 more ‘Hindu sammelans’ all over the country in January and February and plant 10 lakh trees. Rai said of the total 600 ‘Hindu sammelans’ planned, those held in Mumbai, Kolkata, Bhopal, Hyderabad and Assam were “great meetings”. He, however, denied that these meeting were linked with “Ghar Wapsi” agenda.
Rai said before the invasion of Muslim invader Mohd Ghazni and entry of the East India Company, none in the country was a Muslim or a Christian, respectively. The VHP quoted great political and religious leaders and claimed they had justified “Ghar Wapsi” of the Hindus. It said conversion breaks an individual from the national mainstream whereas “Ghar Wapsi” links him back with it. “Therefore, the Centre should come out with a strong law against conversion which would help a patriotic society put India on the road of speedy development,” said the VHP resolution in its conclusion.