Now 'Ghar Wapsi' in Bengal? TMC says won't tolerate VHP's 'dirty tricks'

It seems there is no relief for the Central government, which is battling allegations over forced conversions to Hinduism. In a fresh case, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) allegedly re-converted over 100 tribals to Hinduism in West Bengal. The incident took place at Khamardanga village, close to Birbhum’s Rampurhat town. Reacting strongly to alleged conversion of the tribal Christians to Hinduism, the ruling Trinamool Congress said the administration would take a stern action if it was done forcefully. “Let me say this, if there is even a hint of coercion or forced conversion, the issue will be dealt with in the strongest manner possible,” Trinamool Congress national spokesperson Derek O’Brien tweeted. “This is a zero tolerance subject. An inquiry has been initiated. Some are saying 8, 10, 12 50 people. Numbers are not the point. This is the VHP, RSS, BJP up to their dirty tricks,”   O’Brien said. The TMC leader also said that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is monitoring the enquiry closely.

Bengal has a long history of living in communal harmony and bigots like Togadia will be dealt with ruthlessly. [4/4]

— Derek O'Brien | ডেরেক ও'ব্রায়েন (@derekobrienmp) January 28, 2015

Birbhum conversion. #update Enquiry initiated. Initial reports suggest those converted near VHP rally are BJP workers who were lured

— Derek O'Brien | ডেরেক ও'ব্রায়েন (@derekobrienmp) January 28, 2015

However, some reports suggested the number was far less than and only around 20 tribal Christians were reconverted to Hinduism.  According to IBNlive reports, the re-conversion programme was attended by VHP leader Jugal Kishore. [caption id=“attachment_1856819” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  File photo of the conversion that took place in Agra earlier this month. PTI[/caption] Asked why they converted to Hinduism, the adivasis who came from neighbouring Nurpahari village told Times of India, “We embraced Christianity a couple of years ago. They (the clergy) promised us money, jobs and other good things in life. We are disillusioned now because none of the promises came true. We want to go back to our old religion. Nobody has put pressure on us,” said Rani. However, the VHP’s Bengal unit organising secretary, Sachin Singha, denied there were any forced conversions. Earlier in the day, VHP leader Pravin Togadia held a public rally at Rampurhat. When asked about the conversion, Togadia was quoted by CNN-IBN as saying, “If someone wanted to become a Hindu. How can we stop it? We have announced various schemes to help each and every Hindu family from arranging employment to providing education to Hindu children.