'Conversion' cry back as elections near

It is not the economic crisis or the job cuts that is worrying our political leaders. It is rather 'Conversion' that has been adopted by several Sangh Parivar groups to fill the vote bank.

With the assembly elections very near, several Hindu leaders have been cited making harsh comments on Christians and local churches. Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, are few states where they have been instigating mobs to wage war on Christians.

In Andhra Pradesh, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad on Sunday said, religious conversions promote separatist mentality and hence must be banned by law.

"Conversions of Hindus through allurements is illegal and is a great danger to national unity," VHP All-India Central Secretary Mohan Joshi Joshi told press people in Vijaywada.

"Crores of rupees pour in to Christian-dominated NGOs from foreign countries in the name of development work and service projects while their main aim is to convert people to their faith," Joshi alleged.

He went on to say that thousands of villages last four years have been affected by conversions.

In addition to all this, Joshi even castigated rendering of reservation status to Christians in the state.

The reports of the Mishra Commission and the Sachar Committee that recommend special reservations and facilities must be rejected, he said.

He added that, those parties that support the rights of Hindus would be patronized by the VHP during the Lok Sabha polls.

Elections are always of huge concern to Christians in the country, as thousands of Hindus are urged to join 'war on Christians'. Last year's Orissa mayhem stands substantial to showcase the damage it can cause to Christians.

The National Council of Churches in India has voiced concerns and urged political parties to stop creating communal disharmony and conduct campaigns that render hope and peace.

Bishop DK Sahu, its secretary general told Christian Today: "We are very much praying for the elections. A good leader will be able to bring peace and harmony, and take the country to the next level during these hard times."