MANGALURU: Support for ‘Ghar Wapsi’, and steps to curb untouchability figured prominently during discussions and in resolutions adopted on the second day of ‘Dharma Sansad’ at Udupi on Saturday.
Sri Sugunendra Teertha Swamiji of Udupi Puttige Math, who briefed the media on resolutions adopted today, said “Those families which had embraced other religion several years ago and wish to come back should be provided an opportunity to return to Hinduism and thus Ghar Wapsi should be allowed. They should be allowed to return just like how the family welcomes a child who had gone away from home and returned after a while. Some families might have left Hinduism due to some problem or might have been lured. But now they might want to return. Hindus should have a heart to welcome them to their fold,” he added.
Later, VHP’s Joint Secretary General Dr Surendrakumar Jain said there could be only forceful conversion and not forceful Ghar Wapsi. “Ghar Wapsi was not a major issue in Dharma Sansad’s agenda. But it is a commitment of Hindu Society. Throughout the world there is a move to return to the roots. Similarly many Muslims and Christians who have understood that their predecessors were Hindus want to return. Ninty nine per cent Christians and 95 per cent Muslims were Hindus earlier. If they want to return then they should be welcomed. Many Muslims have already said that they do not have relationship with Babur but with Rana Sangha," he said while ruling out the possibility of forcing people to return to Hinduism.
Meanwhile, the Sansad also decided to take measures to stop caste discrimination.
Initiating the discussion VHP international working president Dr Praveen Togadia stressed the need for eradicating untouchability. "When Muslim Kings invaded our country and when the Hindu kings were defeated the Muslim Kings threatened to take away the property if the defeated Hindu king was not converted. Today there are many SCs who had then lost their property but did not get converted to Islam. The best example is Pasi community of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. They were in reality the Kshatriya community who lost against Mohammed of Ghazni's nephew. They lost their property and now are SC community. Thus I call SCs as 'Dharma Yodha,' who had lost their property but did not quit their religious (Dharm)," he told the media.
He said the Sansad had decided to rid untouchability in the country. "Water, food and crematorium should be same for all in a village. Families should have lunch with SC families and also help them during ceremonies in their house. Under Hindu Kanya poojan, SC girl should be invited home and provided food after washing the feet and respected. Education and employment should be provided to them," he added.
The Sansad also passed a resolution against government taking control of temples and Maths. Initiating the discussion, Sri Gangadharendra Saraswati Swamiji of Swarnavalli opposed the government's control over temples and Maths. He demanded an autonomous body like the Election Commission to monitor temples. "Let there be a system like the Wakf Board. The Government should not control temples and Maths," he added.
