At least 58 people embrace Hinduism in Kerala

Kottayam: At least 58 persons, most of them belonging to Christian families, embraced Hinduism at two temples in the district as part of the "ghar vapsi (home coming) programme under the initiative of Vishwa Hindu Parishad on Christmas day today.

VHP District President Balachandran Pillai said 42 members belonging to 20 families embraced Hinduism at the Puthiyakavu Devi temple in Ponkunnam while at another function at Sri Krishna Swamy temple in Thirunakara, 16 were converted to Hinduism.

One of the person who converted is said to be a Muslim.Pillai said those who had converted had done it on their own from Vaikom, Kumarakkam and Kanjirapally.

VHP state president justice M Ramachandran, a former Kerala High Court Judge, told PTI that "neither the central committee nor the state committee had taken any decision on conversions. But we are not against anyone who comes voluntarily."

The matter would be discussed at VHP's central committee, which is meeting at Hyderabad from December 28 to 30, Justice Ramachandran, who will also be participating, said.

In an effort at clearing the confusion, VHP state General Secretary V Mohan, later issued a statement clarifying that "none was being forcibly converted. Those who want to convert to Hinduism on their own will, are only being helped to do so".

Yesterday, 11 persons had embraced Hinduism near Kayamkulam in Alappuzha district in yet another case of conversion since the last week in the state.

A batch of 30 persons belonging to eight families of Scheduled Caste Christians had re-converted in the district on December 21.

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had said yesterday that that the situation did not warrant a government intervention.

"There is no compulsory conversion or recoversion in the state and it will not take place also. If somebody voluntarily takes any decision, what can the government do".