A major row has erupted over the alleged conversion of over 350 Muslims to Hinduism in Agra by Hindu right wing organisations Bajrang Dal and Dharm Jagran Manch. The two organisations are also being accused of luring people with the promise of monetary benefits.
The conversion is said to have taken place on Monday at Madhunagar slum area in Agra where the two Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) affiliates organised a “Purkhon ki ghar vapsi” (homecoming for ancestors) programme where around 60 Muslim families were converted amid chanting of hymns. The organisers now plan to hold a month-long training session for these “converts” on Hindu rituals and culture.
Sources say the “converts,” mostly hailing from Bihar and West Bengal, were promised BPL and Aadhaar cards, besides free housing plots. But programme coordinator Ajju Chauhan later claimed the conversion was voluntary. However, a couple of people later told mediapersons that the organisers had promised monetary and other benefits under government-sponsored schemes.
“We will look into the entire programme and order a detailed probe if needed,” said Samajwadi Party spokesperson Rajender Choudhary.
Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati said the incident was the handiwork of communal forces who were trying to vitiate the peace in the State. She demanded strict action against such organisations.
On the other hand, BJP MP Vinay Katiyar said there should be no objection to the programme as those who converted were originally Hindus and it was like homecoming for them.
