Ghar Vapsi in Kerala: Converted to get back 'scheduled caste' status for my girls, says woman

Kerala, Dec 22: Hours after the news of yet another controversial 'Ghar Vapsi' programme launched by the VHP in Kerala, in which nearly 30 Christians converted to Hinduism, the mother of two girls who were converted to Hinduism has reportedly come forward and revealed they did it to get back their category of scheduled caste (SC).

As per a report published in The News Minute, Ambika who belongs to Velar Hindu community was in distress as the tenth standard certificates of her daughters mentioned the caste as Christian. Now she confirms that two of them have got converted just to change the mentioned caste in the certificates.

The woman has also revealed that despite approaching the concerned authorities to change her daughters' caste in their certificates the officials did not agree. Finally she approached the VHP in this regard and the Hindu outfit suggested her to get converted as it would help her get back her caste category.

"We wanted to change the mentioned caste in my daughters' certificates. So I approached VHP and they have asked me to get converted. If government had helped me I would not have opted this way" Ambika was quoted by the website as saying.

The coordinators of the Ghar Vapsi programme confirmed that he was aware of Ambika's problem and said that he helped the women for the same.

The Chengannur unit of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) in Alappuzha district has claimed to have converted over 30 Christians to Hinduism at a ceremony held on Dec 21, Sunday. The ceremony started early in the morning and lasted for around 5 hours.

According to the VHP Chengannur unit president Prathap G Padikkal, the Ghar Vapsi programme of the organisation has been officially launched in Kerala. He said that the eight families of Pentecostal Christians came forward voluntarily for the conversion.

They were not offered any financial assistance or other inducement, he added. The Hindu report said that the families were not traceable as the local VHP organisers, reportedly, had moved them to another location.

The VHP president further added that another 150 families have expressed interest in conversion to Hinduism. He said that Ghar Vapsi would be undertaken in other parts of the state in the coming days.

However, no political party has raised this issue so far, but one won't be surprised if this issue too sparks controversy.

OneIndia News