Untouchability, bias is why Hindus convert, admits RSS’s UP face

Asked about the controversy over ‘ghar wapsi, the RSS’s aggressive ‘re-conversion’ programme to bring back Muslims and Christians to Hinduism, Srivastava said that untouchability and discrimination on caste lines promoted by the Hindu religion and society was a weakness that pushed the deprived sections to convert to other religions.

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Srivastava said both ‘ghar wapsi’ (re-conversion) and ‘ghar chhodna’ (conversion) were wrong if done out of greed or under inducement. No one should be forced to either convert or re-convert, and the religious freedom of everyone must be protected, he said.

“Untouchability, today that is the reason for weakness in Hindu society. Only our society practices untouchability and discrimination. Christians and Muslims are not responsible,” Srivastava said.

Srivastava said the RSS was running programmes in slums to eradicate untouchability and discrimination, and to develop harmony in Hindu society. Harmony among religions and castes could be maintained only if the people of different religions and communities accepted that their ancestors were the same, and their mahapurush (great men) were common.

He added that India has blood relations with Pakistan and Bangladesh, and the taseer (essence) of soils, as well as their DNA, were the same.

Srivastava said the RSS had passed two resolutions – to welcome the decision of the United Nations to observe June 21 as International Yoga Day, and to appeal to all countrymen, including swayamsevaks. to play an effective role to establish the dignity of the mother language in education, day-to-day work and public affairs to achieve all-round development, national integrity and pride.

The RSS has appealed to parents to ensure their children receive elementary education in their own language.

The RSS’s Sah Prant Karyawah of the Awadh region, Narendra, spoke about the various programmes of the RSS including shakhas being organised at 1,020 places in the region. Over 5,000 people have applied online to join the RSS in Awadh over the last two years, he said.