Panaji: In the midst of a nationwide row over the issue of re-conversion, a senior RSS official said that the organisation was willing to facilitate the 'Ghar Wapsi' (re-conversion) of those willing Goan Catholics, whose ancestors were forcibly converted during the colonial Portuguese era.
Speaking to a select group of journalists in Goa, on the sidelines of a training camp for 15-year-old plus RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) volunteers, Sharad Kunte, who heads the Sangh's intellectual Wing for the western region, also said that the RSS was not actively seeking to re-convert people, but only serving as a facilitator or guide to those who wanted to come back into their original religious fold.
"If they want to come back, we are ready to welcome them..." Kunte said, when asked about the Sangh's position on Hindus who had been converted by the Portuguese centuries earlier.
He spoke about Goa's colonial past and the conversions to Catholicism, which had taken place under the erstwhile Portuguese rule.
"It's like this, the Portuguese had forcibly converted thousands of Hindus. They (those converted) are not around now, but I think their later generations are..." Kunte said, adding that even if present day Catholics in Goa, did not wish to re-convert, the RSS has no issues with it.
Goa was a Portuguese colony for more than 450 years until it was liberated from Portuguese rule in 1961 by the Indian army.
In the earlier part of the Portuguese regime, a large number of Goans were converted, often by force by Catholic missionaries, according to documented historical texts.
Goa has a population of 1.5 million out of which more than 26 percent are Catholics.
Kunte said that the RSS's 'Ghar Wapsi' programme had nothing to do with converting people by force.
"For those who want to come back (to their original religion), we are only showing them the way," Kunte added.
Kunte was speaking to reporters after conducting a session Saturday at the training camp which was attended by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar and Goa legislative assembly Speaker Rajendra Arlekar, among others
A nationwide controversy erupted recently after a few right-wing Hindu organisations, some of which owe allegiance to the RSS, organised re-conversion programmes in some north Indian states to re-convert non-Hindus to Hinduism.
The opposition, which had stalled the proceedings of the Rajya Sabha for several days on end over the issue, has accused the Hindu organisations of offering money as well as government perks to those who reconverted or were potential re-converts.
Comments
| Quick linksNews
National
International
Regional
Politics
Education & Career
Business
Science & Technology
Health
Views & Analysis
The Funny Side
© 2012 Awaz Multimedia & Publications. All rights reserved.
Raj Bhavan sources told IANS that Vohra had written separate letters to the Peoples Democratic Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party which have won 28 and 25 seats respectively in the 87-member assembly...... More
Also Read: BJP wants to rule Kashmir - with Hindu chief minister
Arab and Muslim world needs to invest in creating world-class universities, scientific research institutions, think tanks and media
The Arab and Muslim world needs to invest in creating world-class universities, scientific research institutions, think tanks and media. Isn't it strange that today not a single university or college ..... More
In 2006, the UPA government had announced a Rs.717 crore rehabilitation package for anti-Sikh riots victims after the Nanavati Commission, which was set up to probe the riots, submitted its report. In 2006, the UPA government had announced a Rs.717 crore rehabilitation package for anti ..... More
The Hindu nationalist have constantly dinned into our consciousness that Muslims are separatists, terrorists and communal. There is a suspicion that any political party led and dominated by Muslims would ultimately lead to a second partition of the country.... More
President of All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) and Hyderabad MP while participating in a discussion in the Lok Sabha on the issue of religious conversion urged the BJP government to stop those behind the 'ugly agenda' at the same time stating that the such programs would not scare the Muslims.. .... More
Also Read: Post 'conversion attempt', Agra Muslims are more staunch believers in Islam
Ever since the terror attack took place Dec 16 at a school in Peshawar where over 140 people, mostly children, were killed, hashtags like #PeshawarAttack and #IndiawithPakistan have been trending on Twitter, creating a bridge to connect citizens of the two neighbouring nations...... More
Also Read: Dilip Kumar grieves for hometown Peshawar