Seers raise concern over religious conversions

Seers and pontiffs raised their voice in unison against religious conversions at the saints convention on the premises of Siddaganga Mutt here on Tuesday.

The seers felt that religious conversions are attributed to social evils like untouchability, casteism and inequality. The seers and saints should strive to end the conversions by alleviating social evils, they introspected.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar of Art of Living lamented that religious conversions were rampant in the prisons of Karnataka. Jail birds are being made Christian priests. 

The inaugural day of the saints convention, organised by Vishwa Hindu Parishat, saw hundreds of seers from Karnataka and beyond take part.  

Inaugurating the event, Siddaganga Mutt seer Shivakumara Swami said India’s biggest contribution to the world was spirituality. Everyone should develop a spiritual bent of mind.

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat said, “There is a need to bring converts back to Hinduism. The saints and seers should take a lead in this regard. Thousands of VHP workers will support the seers in this endeavour.” He lauded the contribution made by mutt heads and saints in South India.

 “The saints in South India possess a strong sense of social responsibility and have a good connect with the society,” he said.

Basavamurthy Madar Chennaiah Swami urged the VHP and other pro-Hindu organisations to allow Dalits to take part in shobha yatras and  treat them as native inhabitants of the country.

Over 500 seers, pontiffs and saints, including Nirmalanandanatha Swami of Adichunchanagiri Mutt, Shivaratri Deshikendra Swami of Sutturu Mutt, Vishweshateertha Swami of Pejawar Mutt, Dharmasthala Dharamadhikari Veerandra Heggade among others were present.