Dwarika Sankaracharaya favours total ban on conversion

Bhubaneswar, Nov 3 (UNI) Dwarika Sankaracharaya Swami Swarupananda Saraswati today demanded a total ban on conversion in the country.

Talking to newsmen here, Swami Swarupananda said those indulging in conversion should realise that they were causing more harm to their religion by luring the people to convert to their religion.

He said it was morally incorrect and ethically wrong to lure the poor tribals to adopt a particular religion by providing them with financial benefit and health assistance.

The Dwarika Peeth Sankaracharaya said the problem of conversion existed as '' we have failed to look into the wellbeing of the poor tribals, who feel that they are exploited and neglected. '' To a question, Swami Swarupananda said there had been no restriction on the dalits to enter into the temple.

Lakh of people, including the dalits, are visiting Jagannath Temple every day and nobody is asking their identity or caste.

The Dwarika Sankaracharaya opposed to the entry of the foreigners into the Jagannath Temple and other temples, stating that those who did not believe in ''our god'' had no business to enter into the temple.

The deities are not there to be exhibited for someone, he remarked.

On the entry of the ISCKON devotees into the temple, Swami Swarupananda Saraswatiji quipped ''ask them, did they call themselves as hindu''.

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