Centre must halt 'reconversions' in Orissa: Deve Gowda

Bangalore, Oct 16 (UNI) Former Prime Minister and JD (S) National President H D Deve Gowda today demanded that the Centre take steps immediately to halt the ongoing ''reconversions to Hinduism'' in Orissa.

He told reporters here that freedom of religion was a fundamental right and the Centre should ban the Sangh Parivar which has been indulging in conversion of Dalit Christians to Hinduism.

To a question on Hindu 'Swamijis' presenting a memorandum to the Governor on anti-conversion, he said, ''they should first stop leading a luxurious life like a king with palanquin processions and golden crowns on their heads.'' ''They should use the money amassed in their mutts for the welfare of Dalits and the poor who are vulnerable to be converted to any religion that offers material inducements and social status,'' he said.

Such conversions will continue as long there is poverty and oppressive caste system,'' he said.

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