Kottayam, Kerala

At least 58 persons, most of them belonging to Christian families, embraced Hinduism at two temples in Kottayam district under the initiative of Vishwa Hindu Parishad on Christmas day today.

At least 42 members belonging to 20 families embraced Hinduism at the Puthiyakavu Devi temple in Ponkunnam while at another function at the Thirunakara Sri Krishna Swamy temple in Thirunakara, 16 were converted to Hinduism, VHP District President, Balachandran Pillai said.

One of the person who converted is said to be a Muslim.

Pillai said those who had converted had come on their own from Vaikom, Kumarakkam and Kanjirapally.

Similar functions are being held at various places.

Yesterday, 11 persons had embraced Hinduism near Kayamkulam in Alappuzha district in yet another case of conversion since the last week in the state.

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

On conversion, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had said yesterday that the situation did not warrant a government intervention.

© Copyright PTI. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of any PTI content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without their prior written consent.