Hindu seer launches attack on Christian 'conversions'

The Shankaracharya of Dwarka Peeth, Swami Swarupananda Saraswati, has launched a scathing attack on Christian missionaries, strongly denouncing religious conversions and advocating a complete ban on change of faith.

"We need a complete ban on religious conversion. It is ethically wrong," he said to the media during his recent visit to Bhubaneswar.

The Shankaracharya, however, said the "problem would persist till we decide to go to the tribals, poor and needy and serve them."

"Hinduism is the most ancient religion though we respect other faiths. But conversion through allurement is unethical," he said, adding, "those indulging in conversion perhaps don't realise that they are hurting their own faith."

"This is all ironic and tragic. Saraswati is among the very few Hindu religious leaders who supports nationalist groups and their prevalent Hindutva thesis, and yet he speaks of tolerance," said John Dayal, member, National Integration Council. "The ban he is calling for is a ban on freedom of faith, which violates the Indian constitution and laws. It is an accepted fact around the world that this freedom is one of the principal human rights. Fortunately, only a small fringe of fanatics shares these views."