Jan Sangh ex-MP to embrace Christianity

Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, Sep 24 (UNI) A former Jan Sangh MP from Madhya Pradesh is on his way to embrace Christianity to escape from oppression.

Mr Ram Singh Ahirwar, who was elected to the Lok Sabha in 1967 from Sagar, a constituency reserved for Scheduled Castes, says he was yet to be formally baptised though he was attending the Church for over two years.

The 72-year-old Dalit leader said he held high hopes from the RSS and Jan Sangh or present BJP, but was disenchanted with BJP's policies as the status of Dalits remained unchanged. He suffered neglect at the hands of local administration as also BJP, though he had never formally took its membership, he added.

Mr Ahirwar, who entered active politics in 1963 with an aim to banish untouchability and discrimination, told UNI here that oppression of Dalits continued till date and he himself was a victim of untouchability on many occasions.

The Dalit leader said he had waited long for socio-political and religious upliftment. But since there was no discernible change, he was attracted to Christianity, which stood for equality and humanitarianism.

He found solace by embracing Christianity at the fag end of his life and felt relieved of oppression, Mr Ahirwar added.

UNI