Catholic bodies trying to convert people to Christianity: Hindutva outfits

AGRA: Even before the Ved Nagar conversion row could die down, Hindutva outfits questioned the working of Catholic organisations in Etmadpur tehsil of Agra where, they alleged, a few people had been persuaded to convert to Christianity on the promise of jobs, higher education and a better life.

Activists of Hindutva outfits, led by former parliamentarian S P Singh Baghael, today interacted with hundreds of villagers to collect information on the alleged conversion.

Though the Hindutva groups claimed that they had identified more than a dozen people who had been persuaded to convert to Christianity, police and the villagers denied any such development.

The Hindutva leaders said they were screening more than a hundred villagers in the area to identify the converts.

"We have to be active and keep a watch as all kinds of promises were being made to the villagers. So far they (Catholic organisations) have not succeeded," said Manoj Sharma, a local Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader.

"For months the process of conversion was underway in this area, and now villagers on their own are coming forward to expose the missionaries," said Bajrang Dal leader Premendra Jain.

The Etmadpur police, however, said any substantive proof was available to initiate any action in the matter.

On December 8, at least 100 persons from 37 families were reportedly re-converted to Hinduism at a ceremony organised by an offshoot of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in Ved Nagar locality of Agra.

The incident created uproar in Parliament with a united opposition stalling Rajya Sabha pressing for a response from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on this issue.