Indian opposition MPs have protested in parliament against Hindu nationalist groups for converting religious minorities to Hinduism. In recent weeks, a number of religious ceremonies have been organised in different parts of India by Hindu hardline groups, close to Mr Modi's governing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and there have been allegations that they involved force, fraud or inducement
Generally it’s very rare to have the whole family converting to a new faith. One or two person from a family I can understand but not when this sort of large-scale family conversion…
Earlier this month, more than 50 Muslim families were reportedly converted to Hinduism against their will in the town of Agra. At the weekend, it was reported that about 100 Christians had converted to Hinduism in the western state of Gujarat while 30 Christians were converted in the southern state of Kerala.
So, who’s behind this?
Hardline Hindu groups like the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh), Bajrang Dal, VHP (Vishwa Hindu Parishad) and others say that Indian Muslims and Christians were all Hindus who have converted to other faiths over the last few centuries. These groups regularly hold ceremonies which they call "ghar vapasi" - or returning home - to allow Christians and Muslims to return to their "original religion". At the weekend, the head of India's most powerful Hindu group, the RSS, vowed to continue with the conversions.
"We will bring back those who have lost their way. They did not go on their own... They were lured into leaving," he said.
Recently, a row broke out after government minister Niranjan Jyoti used an abusive term to refer to non-Hindus, by asking people at a public rally to choose between Ramzada (children of the Hindu God Ram) and Haramzada (bastards). Mr Modi said he disapproved of her language but refused to sack her.
India is turning into a scary place for religious minorities. And here we all thought only Islam has fanatical followers…..
Reference
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-30573796
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