RSS reiterates demand for anti-conversion law to stop forceful conversions

New Delhi: Amid the raging row over Mohan Bhagwat’s remarks on Mother Teresa, RSS on Sunday reiterated its demand for an anti-conversion law to check the “rising incidents” of religious conversions in the country. Suhasrao Hiremath, the Akhil Bharatiya Saha Seva Pramukh of RSS made the remarks at a press conference called to announce an upcoming mega event, a congregation of around 800 social service organisations affiliated to the outfit, in the capital. [caption id=“attachment_2130001” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  PTI[/caption] “The demand for an anti-conversion law to stop conversions through false promises, forceful or any other wrong means is long-standing. We have nothing against people who convert voluntarily. But considering rising incidents of such conversions, government should enact a law,” Hiremath said. Bhagwat’s remarks that conversion to Christianity was the main objective behind Mother Teresa’s service to the poor has sparked a major controversy leading to a fierce Opposition attack on the government. “Few states have such laws in place already. The present government has also raised the issue in the Parliament… It should also consider implementing the recommendations of the Niyogi Committee Report in this regard,” Hiremath added. Earlier, amid uproar over VHP’s ‘ghar wapsi’ programme, the government had said that it was open to bringing a bill against forced conversions. The three-day convention, ‘Rashtriya Sewa Sangam’, which will be inaugurated by spiritual leader Mata Amritanandamayi on April 4, will also be attended RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and Wipro chairman Azim Premji among others. The first edition of the convention was held at Bengaluru on 2010. Organised under the aegis of RSS affiliated Rashtriya Sewa Bharti, it will be held at two resorts off National Highway 1, on the outskirts of Delhi in which nearly 3,000 delegates are expected to participate. “The primary objective is to offer a bird’s eye view of activities of all the organisations that are playing a pivotal role in bringing about a decisive change in the socio cultural fabric of the nation,” Rashtriya Sewa Bharti General Secretary Rishipal Dadwal said. An exhibition to showcase the organisation’s efforts towards cow protection has also been lined up as a part of the convention. PTI