Church leaders across various denominations have come forward and expressed their disappointment over the silence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi over 'Ghar Wapsi' - homecoming or re-conversion programmes being carried out by communal organisations and has urged him to "ban it" immediately.
Recently, a press conference was jointly held at by the church leaders of the Diocese of Amritsar Church of North India (CNI), Diocese of Jalandhar of the Roman Catholic Church and the Salvation Army Church at Amritsar.
Speaking to the press, Rt. Rev. P K Samantaroy, Bishop of Amritsar and Moderator of the CNI said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should give a very clear statement on the 'ghar wapsi' programme of Rashtriya Shyam Sevak Sangh (RSS) and tell the nation why his government could not stop 'forcible conversions. "Keeping silent on such sensitive issues construes his silent approval," the Bishop and Moderator said.
The Reverend said heads of all churches will soon take up the issue of conversions at national level.
CNI Moderator alleged, "Communal organizations like RSS, Dharam Jagran Manch and Vishwa Hindu Parishad etc. are carrying out forcible conversions through coercion in the name of ghar wapsi to meet their political ends which may benefit some vested interests especially in the ruling party".
Bishop Franco Mulakkal of the Roman Catholic Church Diocese of Jalandhar alleged that ghar wapsi was merely a tool being used by the communal and fundamentalists forces to divide dalit communities to indulge in communal violence for their political gains.
Major Manuel Masih, the Divisional Commander of Salvation Army Church said there were many dalit families in which half of the family members were mazhbi Sikhs and the other half were Christians and the same was true in case of Balmiki's. "Who can divide them on the basis of religion" he questioned.
Father John of Roman Catholic Church said that religion was adopted by the inner voice and not under any external pressure or monetary allurements.
Mr. Daniel B Das, Director, Socio Economy Development Programme, Diocese of Amritsar of CNI said, "We all are Indians and we never went away from home so there is no question of ghar wapsi."
Meanwhile, Viswa Hindu Parishad (VHP) reiterated on 14 January 2015 that nothing will deter it from going ahead with its agenda of 'Ghar Wapsi' and plan to highlight the same and other issues like Ram Mandir at a major convention in Delhi on March 1.
Bishop Samantaroy said "Ghar wapsi programme should be banned and stopped failing which the Christian community will be forced to come to streets."
