JOIN USFresh row on conversions, 'Hindus lured'
Reports of ‘conversion’ of scores of Hindus into Christianity through alleged ‘allurements’ triggered tension in some districts in Uttar Pradesh.
Police sources here said as many as 70 people, mostly from the scheduled and backward castes, had reportedly converted to Christianity in Baharaich district, about 200 kilometres from Lucknow.
Reports said a Christian outfit ‘lured’ these poor people of Kamalpuri village in the district into changing their faith and made them join a prayer meeting at a makeshift church.
A police team was rushed to the village after reports of tension following conversion and the matter is being investigated, police sources said adding that some villagers alleged that they were being pressurised to change their faith.One person has been taken into custody.
Report of alleged conversion also triggered tension in Gorakhpur district, about 275 kilometres from here. Hundreds of people came out to the streets and held demonstration against the alleged conversion of some Hindus into Christianity at Pipraich area on Wednesday evening.
The saffron outfits have warned that they will oppose any attempt to encourage conversion of Hindus.
“We will not tolerate if attempts are made to convert the Hindus by luring them,” said district Hindu Yuva Vahini (HYV) president Anand Shahi.
The HYV was floated by Mahant Adityanath, the firebrand BJP MP from Gorakhpur. Six persons were arrested for allegedly encouraging the conversion, police said.The state government has already sounded an alert after the recent ‘mass conversion’ of over 250 Muslims into Hinduism at Agra.
“The authorities have been directed to act swiftly in cases of conversion. While we cannot stop voluntary conversion, it must be ensured that no one was forced,” said a senior official here on Thursday.