Conversions should be banned, but not Ghar Wapsi: VHP's Praveen Togadia

HYDERABAD: VHP's national general secretary Praveen Togadia today demanded "a strong legislation" to stop conversions, but defended ' Ghar Wapsi' program.

Speaking about the outcome of meeting of central board of trustees and management committee of VHP here, Togadia said, "We are against conversions. If someone is accepting another way of life, it is not a conversion...the Supreme Court noted that Hinduism is a way of life. So, we are ready to embrace those who are ready to adopt this way of life."

"Ghar Wapsi program is not against the Constitution or the law....We believe in development and home-coming doesn't affect development... it will be better for development.

"Our Board of Trustees is of the opinion that conversion detaches a person from national stream....Ghar Wapsi unites the person with national stream. Therefore, the Government of India should enact a strong legislation to stop conversion so as to pave the path for steady development of Bharat by its patriot community," Togadia said, referring to a resolution adopted at the meeting.

He also claimed that Ghar Wapsi was an age-old thing and many great personalities had advocated it or resorted to it.

The firebrand VHP leader also claimed that three commissions appointed by non-BJP governments had said that religious conversions spread hatred and even Mahatma Gandhi had expressed adverse opinion on conversions to Christianity.

Asked if VHP would stop Ghar Wapsi if Prime Minister requested, Togadia said the question was "hypothetical".