Aligarh:
'Rs 5L To Convert A Muslim, Rs 2L For A Christian'
Dharam Jagran Samiti, an RSS
offshoot, has distributed pamphlets in Aligarh seeking donations for
converting Christians and Muslims to Hinduism. The pamphlet says it
costs Rs 2 lakh to convert a Christian and Rs 5 lakh to convert a
Muslim.It has set December 25 as the date for a major conversion ceremony and put down an annual target of two lakh conversions -1 lakh Muslims and 1 lakh Christians. The pamphlets, carrying the letterhead of the Dharam Jagran Samiti, Pashchim Chhetra (western UP, Braj prant, Meerut and Uttarakhand), have found their way to many houses in Aligarh. The outfit proposes a fund for a grand “ghar vapsi“ (homecoming) of Christians and Muslims whom it calls a “samasya“ (problem) in the country.
The letter addresses recipients as “bandhuwar“ (friends) and says: “Lots of money will be required in the `ghar vapsi' because the work of conversion is increasing -more workers and more people to be covered. Please contribute money so that all arrangements are in place.“
Asked why Muslims and Christians are a “samasya“, Kanshinath Bansal, a Samiti member, said, “Because Christianity is a samasya. Muslim (sic) is a samasya. One worker needs that much money to work on a samasya every year.“ This came even as Yogi Adityanath, the fire brand BJP MP from Gorakhpur, confirmed his visit on December 25 to Aligarh for an event that aims to convert 5,000 Muslims and 1,000 Christians at the local Maheshwari College.
Adityanath told TOI, “The administration and media have given it an exaggerated look. People are willingly converting themselves in `ghar vapsi'. The event will happen as scheduled and I will be there.“
He added, “When Hindus convert to Islam or to Christianity , nobody comes in for a check. Why is this being done when they want to convert back to Hinduism? There are many other issues that the administration and media should concentrate on rather than this. Muslims in Agra had also written a letter asking for a mandir. The situation went out of control because of the interference of media, administration and sundry religious leaders.“
The district administration, already anxious, said it is not taking any chances.
J Ravinder Goud, SSP Aligarh, said, “There is no question of giving permission for the `ghar vapsi' that is being planned in Maheshwari College. The issue has already flared up. We are not allowing it and if in case there is a violation, we will deal with the situation accordingly .“ Not long ago, the Hindu outfit had taken over a small church on the outskirts of Aligarh, replacing the cross with a Shiva picture. Then, too, it had conducted a `ghar vapsi' for 72 Valmikis, all of them Christians.
Christian and Muslim groups reacted with anger and caution. Community leader Vincent Joel said, “Ever since the church incident in Asroi, Christians have been praying for the dawn of achche din, where the country is not divided on the basis of religion or caste. We are praying to the Lord to grant the perpetrators of such mischief some wisdom.“
Madrassa withdraws invite to MM Joshi
A Kanpur madrassa on Thursday withdrew its invitation to BJP MP Murli Manohar Joshi for inaugurating its renovated building. The invitation was withdrawn under pressure from the seminary's management committee that met on Thursday. Sources said madrassa principal Mohammad Meraj wanted the BJP MP to inaugurate the seminary. But he buckled under pressure from the committee that cited Joshi's alleged involvement in Babri Masjid demolition. Joshi had accepted the invitation more than a week back for the inauguration in January.
