'Untouchability, caste discrimination' responsible for conversion of Hindus: RSS leader

New Delhi, Mar 21: Lot of discussions, debates have been done on the religious conversions but what has not been discussed is that why do these conversions or 'ghar wapsi' take place?

As per an IE report, a senior Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader has given a reason for these conversions. He has said that "the practice of untouchability and discrimination based on caste are responsible for the conversion of Hindus to religions like Islam and Christianity."

The RSS's Awadh Prant Sanghchalak Prabhu Narayan Srivastava also told the daily that "Christians and Muslims were not to blame for the conversion of Hindus. He was addressing reporters about resolutions passed by the RSS at its All India Pratinidhi Sabha meeting in Nagpur recently."

"Untouchability, today that is the reason for weakness in Hindu society. Only our society practices untouchability and discrimination. Christians and Muslims are not responsible," Srivastava said.

Srivastava also told that RSS is thus trying to eradicate untouchability and discrimination from the society with teh help of some programmes.

Amid a raging row over alleged religious conversions undertaken by right-wing groups, RSS ideologue M G Vaidya had earlier said what is happening was not change in faith, but "homecoming" of those who had left the Hindu fold.

"This is not religious conversion. This is 'ghar wapsi' (homecoming of Hindus who adopted other religions)," he said when asked about faith change programs of certain groups, an issue which has rocked Parliament and disrupted its functioning.

The 'ghar wapsi' programme of Hindutva outfits is not new. It was launched in 1995-96, but this time around too much hue and cry has been raised over the issue, he maintained.

On the issue figuring prominently in Parliament and leading to its repeated adjournments, the former Maharashtra MLC said the Opposition members, probably, do not have much work in the House and hence they are creating ruckus.

There had been a "spurt" in conversion of Hindus into Christianity since 1964-65 but nobody raised this issue, Vaidya stated. Odisha had recorded the highest number of such conversions, he claimed.

OneIndia News

(With inputs from agencies)