Foreign funds are being siphoned into our country in the name of service to humanity for the purpose of converting illiterate, economically backward and socially unequal tribal people and those belonging to the Scheduled Castes. Conversions are taking place through inducement, false promises and misleading statements. The tribals are being bribed to go against their own people including family members who have remained attached to their ancient heritage, customs and practices. These activities have posed a threat to national integration and the country’s unity.

Article 25 of the Constitution has given a citizen the freedom to chose and preach his or her faith and religion. But the Constitution does not allow anybody to convert somebody from one faith and religion to another through allurement and inducement or by force. However the Christian missionaries are carrying out illegal conversions by grossly violating the Constitution and state laws like the Orissa Freedom of Religion Act(OFRA).

In 1927, Gandhiji had specifically stated that with funding from the USA and Great Britain missionaries are carrying out illegal conversions to spread Christianity in British India. He had also said that he would have banned conversions in India if he had been given the power of legislation.

I strongly believe that Christian missionaries are more interested in conversions than in social upliftment of the poor and downtrodden. In Kandhamal illegal conversions have been going on for more than a century. The people in this district which was a part of the undivided Phulbani district are still very poor and backward. They would have been prosperous by now or at least enjoying a better  life had the missionaries worked only for their social upliftment. I also do believe that the failure of the state in many ways is responsible for the increase in conversion activities in the country. Orissa has an Act in place to stop illegal conversions. The law has never been strictly enforced.

We the members of the VHP and Sangh Parivar are totally against violence. We love true Christians and real Muslims. We believe in the principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. The entire humanity is the creation of God and there is no difference between one human being and another.

As told to S T Beuria
(Senior advocate of the Orissa High court and president of VHP Orissa unit)