Alappuzha (Kerala)

Eleven persons belonging to three families embraced Hinduism near Kayamkulam in Kerala today under an initiative of Vishwa Hindu Parishad.

The ritual for conversion was held at a temple in Keyshavoor near Kayamkulam, VHP leader Prathap G Padikkal said.

“Some of these people’s ancestors had converted to other religion years ago,” he said.

A batch of 30 persons belonging to eight families of Scheduled Caste Christians had re-converted in district on December 21.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said the situation in the state on conversion did not warrant a government intervention.

Replying to a question on the reconversion, he said “The situation did not warrant a state intervention.

“There is no compulsory conversion or reconversion in the state and it will not take place also. If somebody voluntarily takes any decision, what can the government do”, he said during media briefing on cabinet meeting here.

People of Kerala had been out of these kind of things and want to have peace and harmony, he said, adding, all sections in the society enjoyed equal rights and dignity in the state.

Jhunjhunu(Rajasthan)

VHP has announced to hold its ‘ghar wapsi’ (reconversion) programme here on January 4 to “bring back” Christian families into the Hinduism fold.

“The programme will be held on January 4 to bring back those people into Hindu fold who have been converted from Hindu to Christians in the past,” Mahesh Sharma, VHP district president told reporters yesterday.

According to Sharma, the list of the people who would participate in the programme was being finalised.

“There are several families who voluntarily want to come back to the religion,” he said.

He alleged that several Hindu families were converted to Christianity in areas like Khetri, Pilani, Dundlod, Buhana and Mandrela areas in the district.

On December 8, in Agra, at least 100 persons from 37 families were reportedly re-converted to Hinduism at a ceremony organised by an offshoot of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

The incident led to uproar in Parliament with a united opposition stalling Rajya Sabha and pressing for a response from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue.

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