Mangalore: Conversion Row: Hindu Outfits Urge Govt Intervention
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore
Mangalore, Apr 9: A protest was organised by Hindu outfits, including the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) Bajrang Dal, here on Saturday April 9 over the series of alleged conversion cases that have cropped up in the city over the last few days.
Launching an attack against the charity and prayer centres run by Christians, the protesters alleged that Christian missionaries have been resorting to conversion in the name of providing free shelter and education to the poor from rural and backward Hindu families.
In a memorandum addressed to chief minister Yeddyurappa and submitted to the deputy commissioner, they appealed to the government to look into the matter and take action against those involved in such activities.
VHP leader M B Puranik said that the root cause for conversion was the colonial rule that brought in a number of British and Portuguese missionaries to India, whose activities are continuing to this day. Moreover, he lamented that while Christians and Muslims are free to make use of government benefits under the minorities tag, Hindus in other countries have neither benefits nor recognition.
Speaking on the occasion, Gurpur Vajradehi Mutt chief Rajashekharananda Swamiji also urged the authorities to take appropriate steps against the practice of conversion in the guise of charity.
Former deputy mayor Rajendra Kumar, VHP leader Mohan Tulajaram, Yuva Morcha leader Raghavendra, ABVP secretary Vinay Jadhav and others were present.