While reconversion drives organised by Sangh Parivar offshoots for Muslims and Christians had fueled much controversy and caused an uproar in Parliament, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) claims to have organised such ghar vapasi (homecoming) rites for around 6,000 converts in Maharashtra in the last five years.
Muslims are tougher nuts to crack: VHP leader
A senior VHP leader told dna that most of the people who had been reconverted toHinduism were Christians as Muslims were comparatively "tougher nuts to crack".
"We have managed to reconvert around 6,000 people to Hinduism. At the national level, around 7 lakh people have been brought back into the fold in 20 years," he said, while denying claims that threats and inducements were used to do this. He added that areas which have a high concentration of tribals, including those who have been proselytised to Christianity, see such activity.
The purification rites
"Reconversions happen wherever we have sampark programmes. This is not a one-day process. At times, it may even take up to 10 years to reconvert a Muslim to Hinduism," the VHP leader said, adding that this consisted of telling Muslims about their Hindu roots and about their ancestors being Hindus.
"We convince them that their traditions and culture are rooted in Hinduism," he said, adding that in case the family or individual is convinced, a shuddhikaran (purification) process is undertaken through priests. "After the purification rites, their names are changed and the priests and other people are witnesses to the ceremony. This is published in the gazette and they are given a legal certificate," the leader added.
However, the organisation's leaders refuse to admit that many of these conversions of middle and lower castes from Hinduism to other faiths have historically been a fallout of the rigid caste system.The VHP leader said that after the reconversion, they took care to ensure that the converts gradually assimilate into Hindu society and were accepted there.
Avoiding publicity to prevent backlash
The VHP leader said that they were however not planning to hold large programmes where such reconversions would take place. "This happens at the local level. We avoid publicity as this will lead to pressure on prospective converts from their co-religionists. So, we have to consider the security of the family even after they are brought back into Hinduism," he added.
'Like a daughter-in-law in new household'
"These people are like a daughter-in-law who has come into a new household. She will take time to adjust with new family members. Though they were originally Hindus, they were converted to other denominations hundreds of years ago. So, we organise various programmes where they are invited to Satyanarayan mahapuja and haldi kumkum for women. At times, they are asked to organise these rites," he claimed, adding, "This helped them feel at home. Otherwise, they will feel abandoned once they became Hindus."
"Since many Muslim girls also marry Hindu boys, these women are also converted to Hinduism," the VHP leader said.
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