Nagpur: Amid a raging row over alleged religious conversions undertaken by right-wing groups, RSS ideologue M G Vaidya on Monday said what is happening was not change in faith, but "homecoming" of those who had left the Hindu fold.
"This is not religious conversion. This is 'ghar wapsi' (homecoming of Hindus who adopted other religions)," he told PTI here when asked about faith change programs of certain groups, an issue which has rocked Parliament and disrupted its functioning.
Read: Never wanted to convert the world but only to ‘win over its heart’: VHP
The 'ghar wapsi' programme of Hindutva outfits is not new. It was launched in 1995-96, but this time around too much hue and cry has been raised over the issue, he maintained.
On the issue figuring prominently in Parliament and leading to its repeated adjournments, the former Maharashtra MLC said the Opposition members, probably, do not have much work in the House and hence they are creating ruckus.
There had been a "spurt" in conversion of Hindus into Christianity since 1964-65 but nobody raised this issue, Vaidya stated. Odisha had recorded the highest number of such conversions, he claimed.
Also Read: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat defies PM Modi, supports 'ghar wapsi'
Meanwhile, in Rajya Sabha on Monday , Sharad Yadav (JD-U) raised the issue saying government's focus is on "ghar wapsi" campaigns through conversions instead of fulfilling promises made to people ahead of elections. "You had promised incentive to farmers for their produce. Now a new thing has come... you did not say you will launch 'ghar wapsi' (conversion) campaigns. Your party ministers and MPs are saying this. You did not fulfil the promises made to people. You have forgotten them. That is why this House is not functioning," he said.
Earlier, Mohan Bhagwat while addressing a rally in Kolkata defended religious conversions making a similar statement. For the RSS sarsanchalak, “We are not involved in conversion but ghar wapsi. Hindus are waking up. Hindus don’t need to fear anyone.”
Pitching for an anti-conversion law, Bhagwat told the Opposition, “If Hindus can’t convert others, others should not be allowed to convert Hindus. Bring a law against conversion in Parliament if you don’t like conversion.”
