Alappuzha: Amidst raging controversy over forced religious conversions across the country, nearly 30 persons from eight families of Scheduled Caste Christians were re-converted to Hinduism under the auspices of Vishwa Hindu Parishad in the district.
The ritual of 'home-coming', organised by district wing of VHP, was held at a local temple at Kanichanallor. VHP leader Prathap G Padikkal, who arranged the function, said that the families "expressed their desire to come back to Hinduism" and VHP "only facilitated the return".
He said their ancestors had converted to Christianity some decades ago. Another 150 families in the district have expressed their wish to embrace Hinduism and VHP would arrange their 'home coming' also, he said. Incidentally, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Amit Shah was in Kerala last week
Supporting such conversions, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat said that India was a "Hindu nation" where many Hindus had been forcibly converted to other religions. "We will bring back those who have lost their way. They did not go on their own," Bhagwat said in a speech late on Saturday. "They were lured into leaving."
Bhagwat's comments came after BJP said it did not support forced religious conversions and called for an anti-conversion law.
Meanwhile, the government is facing the heat in Parliament with opposition parties demanding a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the conversions.
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