>S0091 at 19:34, 3 July 2021

2021-07-03T19:34:27Z

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{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2018}}
{{merge to|Ghar Wapsi|discuss=Talk:Ghar Wapsi#Merger proposal|date=September 2020}}
On 8 December 2014, Hindu nationalist groups affiliated to the [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]] (RSS) were reported to have converted 100 – 250 Muslims to Hinduism in [[Agra]]. The functioning of the Indian Parliament was log-jammed in December. News reports indicated that Muslim right wing groups in India have received a ‘lease of life’ in trying to protest the conversions. After a full investigation, the Uttar Pradesh Minorities Commission concluded that the Muslims had not converted as they continued to "remain Muslims."<ref name="commission">{{Cite web|last1=Feb 2|first1=Ishita Mishra / TNN /|last2=2015|last3=Ist|first3=22:04|title=Minorities commission says Agra Muslims had 'not converted' {{!}} Agra News - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/agra/minorities-commission-says-agra-muslims-had-not-converted/articleshow/46099720.cms|access-date=2021-04-20|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref>

== The event ==
The Muslim residents of the Vednagar slum in [[Agra]] were told by a local Hindu activist that, under a development programme of the [[Narendra Modi government]], if they attended a ''havan'' (a Hindu sacrificial ceremony), they would get ration cards and other basic amenities. Some 250 people attended the ceremony. When the ritual was over, the participants were told that they had all become [[Hindus]].<ref name="BBC">{{Cite news|date=2014-12-11|title=Indian Agra Muslim fear conversions to Hinduism|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-30429118|access-date=2021-04-20}}</ref><ref name="homecoming">{{Cite news|last=Gandhi|first=Jatin|date=2014-12-21|title=Forced into 'homecoming'|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/sunday-anchor/conversion-confusion-forced-into-homecoming/article6711441.ece|access-date=2021-04-20|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

''Dharam Jagaran Samiti'' ("Religious awakening committee"), a Hindu activist group affiliated to the [[Hindutva|Hindu nationalist]] [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]] (RSS) and part of its family of organisations [[Sangh Parivar]], runs a programme called [[ghar wapasi]] ("homecoming"), whose objective is to "reconvert" Muslims and Christians in India. All the Muslims and Christians in India are envisioned to be originally Hindus whose ancestors had converted to other religions. Therefore, their conversion to Hinduism is regarded as a "reconversion" or "homecoming." The 8 December conversion programme was also joined by the Agra based activists of ''Dharam Jagaran Samiti'' and the [[Bajrang Dal]], a ceremony was performed that lasted a few hours.<ref name=homecoming/>

Rajeswar Singh, the [[Aligarh]] area President of the Samiti, wrote an open letter asking for monetary help. He stated that the group had converted 40,000 Muslims and Christians in western Uttar Pradesh last year and started a target of 100,000 conversions for next year. He also stated that each activist who works to convert Muslims incurs an annual expenditure of 500,000 rupees and one that works to convert Christians requires 200,000 rupees. He sought monetary help from interested parties to run the programme of conversions.<ref name="costly">{{Cite web|last1=AgraDecember 12|first1=Mansi Tewari|last2=December 17|first2=2014UPDATED|last3=Ist|first3=2014 16:15|title=Agra conversions were a costly affair|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/rss-bjp-agra-conversions-bajrang-dal-hindu-muslim-christian-230835-2014-12-12|access-date=2021-04-20|website=India Today|language=en}}</ref>

The Agra Police registered a First Information Report (FIR) against ''Dharam Jagaran Samiti'' and its convener in the State Nand Kishore Valmiki, and launched an investigation. Cases were registered under Section 153(A) (promoting enmity between different groups) and Section 415 (using fraudulent means) of the [[Indian Penal Code]], based on a complaint made by one of the participants that was converted. The FIR states that ration cards and housing plots were promised for those who [[converted to Hinduism]].<ref name="FIR">{{Cite web|date=2014-12-11|title=Muslim conversions in Agra: Opposition targets govt, FIR registered against RSS|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/opposition-targets-govt-over-muslim-conversions-fir-registered-against-rss-wing/17858/|access-date=2021-04-20|website=The Financial Express|language=en-US}}</ref> Valmiki was subsequently arrested on 16 December.<ref name=arrested>[http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/agra-religious-conversions-row-accused-nand-kishore-valmiki-arrested/article1-1297027.aspx Conversions row: Accused Valmiki arrested in Agra, Hindustan Times, 16 December 2014]</ref>

Another Hindu nationalist group, ''Hindu Jagaran Samiti'', announced that it would hold the "biggest ever" conversion programme in the country in [[Aligarh]] on the day of Christmas. 5,000 Muslims and 1,000 Christians were said to be ready to get converted. Members of Parliament from [[Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh|Gorakhpur]], [[Yogi Adityanath]], and from [[Aligarh]], [[Satish Gautam]], have welcomed the announcement.<ref name="biggest">{{Cite news|last=Ali|first=Mohammad|date=2014-12-12|title='Biggest' conversion on the anvil|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/biggest-conversion-on-the-anvil/article6684367.ece|access-date=2021-04-20|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref name="Aligarh">{{Cite web|last1=Dec 12|first1=Eram Agha / TNN / Updated|last2=2014|last3=Ist|first3=03:13|title=RSS body seeks donations to fund Christmas 'conversions' in Aligarh {{!}} India News - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/rss-body-seeks-donations-to-fund-christmas-conversions-in-aligarh/articleshow/45484672.cms|access-date=2021-04-20|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref> Gautam declared in the Parliament, "We have been doing this (conversion) for several years and will do it again on 25th December. This is not a conversion but ‘ghar wapasi’ (home coming)."<ref>{{Cite web|date=2014-12-14|title=Ghar Vapsi: Civil society needs to challenge RSS's conversion agenda - India News , Firstpost|url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/ghar-vapsi-civil-society-needs-to-challenge-rsss-conversion-agenda-1848629.html|access-date=2021-04-20|website=Firstpost}}</ref> [[Vishva Hindu Parishad]] (World Hindu Council), one of the largest members of the Sangh Parivar, announced that it will hold a conversion programme in [[Rae Bareli]], the constituency of the [[Indian National Congress|Congress]] party leader [[Sonia Gandhi]], where it has acquired 60 families that are ready to convert to Hinduism.<ref name="RaeBareli">{{Cite web|last=Singh|first=Neha|date=2014-12-16|title=Religious Conversions: Police Arrest Agra Accused, VHP Declares 'Ghar Wapsi' in Rae Bareli|url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/religious-conversions-police-arrest-agra-accused-vhp-declares-ghar-wapsi-rae-bareli-617375|access-date=2021-04-20|website=www.ibtimes.co.in|language=en}}</ref>

== Reactions ==
The Uttar Pradesh Minorities Commission, which visited Agra on a fact-finding mission, has stated that the conversion programme was an "act of fraud."<ref name="fraud">{{Cite web|date=2014-12-22|title=Agra conversion an act of fraud: UP Minority panel|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/agra-conversion-an-act-of-fraud-up-minority-panel/|access-date=2021-04-20|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref>

The ruling party of India, [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP), which is itself a member of the RSS-affiliated Sangh Parivar, has distanced itself from the fraudulent conversions. [[Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi]], the Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, has stated that State Police are taking action. The BJP President [[Amit Shah]] has stated that BJP had no role in the conversions. However, [[Vinay Katiyar]], the BJP Member of Parliament from [[Uttar Pradesh]] and a former leader of [[Bajrang Dal]], said that the conversions were voluntary. The Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]] is reported to have told the party parliamentarians to keep the development agenda in focus and not cross the "Lakshman rekha" (line in the sand) regarding the issue of conversions.<ref name=FIR/><ref name="notinvolved">{{Cite web|last1=Dec 22|first1=TNN /|last2=2014|last3=Ist|first3=02:24|title='BJP not involved in Agra conversion' {{!}} Chennai News - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/bjp-not-involved-in-agra-conversion/articleshow/45597745.cms|access-date=2021-04-20|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref><ref name="RSS">{{Cite web|date=2014-12-17|title=RSS cancels Aligarh 'ghar wapsi' event|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/rss-cancels-aligarh-ghar-wapsi-event/|access-date=2021-04-20|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref>

In the Upper House of the [[Parliament of India|Indian Parliament]], all the opposition parties united under the [[Indian National Congress|Congress]] party's leadership, and demanded that the Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]] should reply to the issue of forcible religious conversions. As the Prime Minister did not respond, the Parliament appeared to be log-jammed.<ref name="disrupts">{{Cite web|date=2014-12-19|title=Conversion row: Oppn again disrupts Rajya Sabha sitting, House adjourned twice before lunch - Politics News , Firstpost|url=https://www.firstpost.com/politics/conversion-row-oppn-disrupts-rajya-sabha-sitting-house-adjourned-twice-lunch-1857161.html|access-date=2021-04-20|website=Firstpost}}</ref> The BJP challenged the opposition parties to support an "anti-conversion bill" that outlaws religious conversions using coercion and inducement.<ref name="AmitShah">{{Cite web|last1=Dec 21|first1=T. Ramavarman / TNN / Updated|last2=2014|last3=Ist|first3=16:54|title=Let secular parties support anti-conversion bill: Amit Shah {{!}} India News - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/let-secular-parties-support-anti-conversion-bill-amit-shah/articleshow/45590250.cms|access-date=2021-04-20|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref>

The proposed conversion programme in Aligarh on the Christmas day has been blocked by the [[Uttar Pradesh Police]]. It will not be allowed under "any circumstance," said the Aligarh Police chief.<ref name="notallowed">{{Cite web|last1=Dec 14|first1=PTI / Updated|last2=2014|last3=Ist|first3=23:27|title=mass conversion in Aligarh: Won't allow mass conversion in Aligarh: Police {{!}} India News - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/wont-allow-mass-conversion-in-aligarh-police/articleshow/45515669.cms|access-date=2021-04-20|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref> The ''Dharam Jagaran Samiti'' has postponed its programme scheduled for the Christmas day, reportedly on orders from the [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]]. But it said that the long-run conversion programmes will continue. "Our target is to make India a Hindu Rashtra by 2021. The Muslims and Christians don’t have any right to stay here. So they would either be converted to Hinduism or forced to run away from here," said the Samiti leader Rajeshwar Singh.<ref name=RSS/>

A Muslim cleric, Salim Ahmed, who heads the ''Babri Masjid Action Committee'' (BMAC), speaking at a programme of the organisation attended by 1,500 people, said that he would wage a war against the country if incidents of religious conversions were not checked. The video of his speech has been released to the public.<ref name="cleric">{{Cite web|last1=LucknowDecember 14|first1=Rajat Rai|last2=December 17|first2=2014UPDATED|last3=Ist|first3=2014 16:19|title=Agra conversion: UP Cleric threatens to pick up arms against government|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/mail-today/story/agra-conversion-up-cleric-pick-up-arms-government-231090-2014-12-14|access-date=2021-04-20|website=India Today|language=en}}</ref> Other Muslim religious groups have echoed the sentiment. The [[Darul Uloom Deoband|Darul Uloom of Deoband]] seminary plans to activate its conversion-prevention wing, ''Fitna-e-Irtehad,'' using its network of clerics nationwide. The [[Shahi Imam]] of Delhi's [[Jama Masjid, Delhi|Jama Masjid]] declared that he would launch a ''ghar ghar Islam'' (Islam in every house) campaign to [[Proselytism|proselytise]] and renew the faith. "Muslims have sacrificed their lives for the unity of this country. Now be prepared to sacrifice your lives to save secularism," he said.<ref name="MuslimRight">{{Cite web|date=2014-12-20|title=Mission accomplished: RSS Hindutva antics give lease of life to Muslim Right - India News , Firstpost|url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/mission-accomplished-rss-hindutva-antics-give-lease-of-life-to-muslim-right-1915463.html|access-date=2021-04-20|website=Firstpost}}</ref>

== Investigation ==
The [[Uttar Pradesh Minorities Commission]], after having conducted a full investigation, said in February 2015 that the 250 Muslims had not converted because they continue to "remain Muslims." It maintained that there was "betrayal and cheating," and held the Local Intelligence Unit responsible for not identifying such "vulnerable areas."<ref name=commission/> It confirmed the reports that the ''Hindu Jagaran Samiti'' had lured the Muslim families with the promise of houses offered by the national government. It misled them into thinking that the religious sacrificial ceremony was the beginning of the process, but announced the next day that the Muslims had converted to Hinduism. But the families refuted the claim that they had converted.<ref name="lured">{{Cite web|last1=LucknowFebruary 3|first1=Piyush Srivastava|last2=September 7|first2=2015UPDATED|last3=Ist|first3=2018 22:52|title=Ghar Wapsi: Uttar Pradesh Minorities Commission says 50 families were 'lured' into conversion|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/north/story/ghar-wapsi-agra-conversion-row-muslims-up-minority-commission-shakeel-ahmed-hindu-jagran-samiti-vhp-rss-kishore-valmiki-238406-2015-02-03|access-date=2021-04-20|website=India Today|language=en}}</ref>

== See also==

*[[Saffronization]]
*[[Freedom of religion in India#Laws against conversions|Laws against conversion in India]]
*[[List of converts to Hinduism]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Religious conversion in India]]
[[Category:Religion in Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]]
[[Category:Agra]]

Agra religious conversions 2014 - Revision history

>S0091 at 19:34, 3 July 2021