Now, saffron outfits call off 'conversion' programmes

A massive statewide crackdown by the Uttar Pradesh government has forced saffron outfits to call off their proposed “mass conversion” programmes.

Official sources said that hundreds of saffron activists had been arrested since Tuesday as the government was firm on foiling the proposed programmes at Aligarh, Kushinagar, Ghazipur and some other districts.

Sources said that seven Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leaders including the chief of its district publicity wing were arrested in Ghazipur. The arrested VHP activists were later released after furnishing personal bonds.

In Kushinagar district, around 100 Hindu Yuva Vahini, an outfit floated by the firebrand BJP MP from Gorakhpur Mahant Adityanath, were arrested after they insisted on holding a community feast at Dibni village where a few Hindus converted to Christianity a few days back.

Irked over the arrests of the workers, hundreds of saffron activists laid siege to Ramkiola police station in the district. Officials have imposed section 144 in several districts.