Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP) 

Mangaluru, Sep 27: The mega rally ‘People's movement against religious conversions’ organized by Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Thursday September 26 at Shivaji dais, Mulky in the taluk, protesting against alleged conversions was attended by fewer people than anticipated. 

National joint coordinator of Bajrang Dal, Sooryanarayana, urged the union government to enact strict laws at an early date against religious conversions being undertaken with the help of lures. He was delivering the keynote address at the rally. 

He claimed that Hindus are being converted in Christian prayer centres without any hitch. He therefore asked the state government to promulgate prevention of religion conversions act. He also demanded stern action against those who achieve religious conversions through coercion, cheating or by offering rewards.

Sooryanarayana felt that there is a need for spreading awareness against religion conversions among the Hindus, and called upon the Swamijis and other religiously inclined persons to think of ways to protect Hinduism. He felt that there is a need to extend liberal help for the health and education of poor, backward Hindu families, and also to make efforts to bring back those who have deserted Hinduism. 

Vishwa Hindu Parishad divisional secretary, Sharan Pumpwell, stressed that the protest now organized was not against the Christians, but against people who convert innocent Hindus by luring them to change their religions by offering rewards to them. 

Bajrang Dal provincial convener, Sunil K R, Mangaluru division president, Gopal Kuthar, VHP Udupi president, Pramod Shetty Mudrady, and Dharma Jagaran provincial coordinator, Dinakar, were at the dais. 

Moodbidri MLA, Umanath Kotian, leaders like Sunil Alva, Jagadish Shenava, Vinod Salian, Kasturi Panja, Bhuvanabhirama Udupa, Devaprasad Punarur, Vidya Mallya and others were present. 

Santosh Suvarna welcomed. Shivananda Mendon compered the programme. Susheelraj proposed vote of thanks. 

Before the meeting, after priest of Bappanadu temple, Sripati Upadhyaya, offered special prayers and Hanuman Chalisa was chanted, a procession was taken from the temple to the venue of the public meeting along with dignitaries.