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{{short description|Series of conversion activities in India}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2019}}
{{italic title}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2019}}
'''''Ghar Wapsi''''' ([[Hindi language|Hindi]], meaning "Back to Home") is a series of [[religious conversion]] activities, facilitated by Indian [[Hindu]] organisations [[Vishva Hindu Parishad]] (VHP), [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]] (RSS) and [[Hindu Makkal Katchi]],<ref>{{cite news|title=First 'ghar wapsi' in Tamil Nadu, 18 Dalit Christians 're-converted'|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/first-ghar-wapsi-in-tamil-nadu-18-dalit-christians-re-converted/|access-date=31 January 2015|work=Indianexpress|issue=31 January 2015|date=2 January 2020}}</ref> to facilitate conversion of Christians and Muslims to [[Hinduism]] and [[Sikhism]].<ref>{{cite news |title=In Punjab, Sangh works for 'return' to Sikhism as well; SAD fumes |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/in-punjab-sangh-works-for-return-to-sikhism-as-well-sad-fumes/ |access-date=2 January 2020 |work=The Indian Express |date=22 December 2014}}</ref> It became a subject of public discussion in 2014.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ghar Wapsi continues in Kerala; 58 more embrace Hinduism|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/report/ghar-wapsi-continues-in-kerala-58-more-embrace-hinduism/20141225.htm|access-date=29 December 2014|work=Rediff News|issue=25 December 2014|date=25 December 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title='Ghar wapsi' only way to end terror says BJP leader|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/newdelhi/ghar-wapsi-only-way-to-end-terror-says-bjp-leader/article1-1300421.aspx|access-date=29 December 2014|work=Hindustan Times|date=25 December 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141229063904/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/newdelhi/ghar-wapsi-only-way-to-end-terror-says-bjp-leader/article1-1300421.aspx|archive-date=29 December 2014}}</ref><ref>[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/VHP-to-hold-ghar-wapsi-for-4000-Muslims-in-Ayodhya-in-January/articleshow/45624372.cms VHP to hold 'ghar wapsi' for 4,000 Muslims in Ayodhya in January], Times of India, 24 December 2014</ref> The [[Bharatiya Janata Party]]'s [[Yogi Adityanath]] has claimed this campaign would continue unless conversions to other religions are banned altogether in the country.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ghar wapsi to continue till conversions are banned: Adityanath|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/ghar-wapsi-to-continue-till-conversions-are-banned-adityanath/article6929001.ece|access-date=24 February 2015|work=The Hindu|date=24 February 2015}}</ref> According to proponents of [[Hindutva]], such as [[Sangh Parivar]], the process is called "reconversion" of Christians and Muslims who were previously converted.{{sfn|Katju|2015|p=21-22}} The process is viewed as [[Shuddhi_(Hinduism)|Shuddhi]] or "purification" rather than conversion, since they state, through Ghar Wapsi, people from the other religions are returning to their "true" religion.{{sfn|Vijayan|Gabriel|2015|p=23}}

The Vishva Hindu Parishad and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh organised several Ghar Wapsi events in [[Telangana]],<ref name="deccan" /> [[Andhra Pradesh]], [[Kerala]], and [[Goa]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/VHP-plans-ghar-wapsi-in-5-Kerala-districts-today/articleshow/45635205.cms|title=VHP plans 'ghar wapsi' in 5 Kerala districts today|work=The Times of India|access-date=4 January 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/RSS-to-Facilitate-Ghar-Wapsi-of-Goan-Catholics/2014/12/28/article2592250.ece|title=RSS to Facilitate 'Ghar Wapsi' of Goan Catholics|work=The New Indian Express|access-date=4 January 2015}}</ref> The ''[[Indian Express]]'' reported that [[Scheduled Caste]] Manjhi families demanded better facilities along with education and healthcare before they converted.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/education-healthcare-before-ghar-wapsi/99/|title=Education, healthcare before ghar wapsi|work=The Indian Express|access-date=4 January 2015|date=27 December 2014}}</ref>

In a [[Supreme Court of India|Supreme Court]] judgment, the judges ruled that reconversion to Hinduism will not prevent a person from accessing [[Reservation in India|quota]] benefits and adopt the [[Jāti|caste]] of his forefathers. The bench further held that "the Scheduled Caste persons belonging to Hindu religion, who had embraced Christianity with some kind of hope or aspiration, have remained socially, educationally and economically backward."<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.firstpost.com/india/sc-ruling-on-reconversion-its-a-stamp-of-approval-for-ghar-wapsi-says-vhp-2126461.html|title=SC ruling on reconversion: It's a stamp of approval for ghar wapsi, says VHP|date=28 February 2015|work=Firstpost|access-date=6 November 2017|language=en-US}}</ref>

== Etymology ==
The word ''ghar'' is of Hindi origin which means "home".<ref>{{cite news |title=A dictionary of Urdu, classical Hindi, and English |url=http://dsalsrv02.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/philologic/getobject.pl?c.7:1:1949.platts |access-date=3 December 2019 |work=dsalsrv02.uchicago.edu}}</ref> The word ''wapsi'' means "to return".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Platts |first1=John T. (John Thompson) |title=A Dictionary of Urdu, Classical Hindi, and English |url=https://dsal.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/app/platts_query.py?qs=wapasi&matchtype=default |website=dsal.uchicago.edu |access-date=3 December 2019 |date=1884}}</ref>

This term indicates the belief held by the organisations facilitating such programmes that most of the [[Islam in India|Muslims]] and [[Christianity in India|Christians]] in India have descended from Hindus, and hence are returning to their "home" through reconversion.

== Major instances ==
===Telangana and Andhra Pradesh===
More than 8,000 people in [[Telangana]] and [[Andhra Pradesh]] converted to Hinduism from July 2014 - December 2014 under the Ghar Wapsi programme.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nagalandpost.com/channelnews/national/NationalNews.aspx?news=TkVXUzEwMDA3MjgzMA%3D%3D|title='Ghar wapsi' not conversion: Togadia - Nagaland Post|access-date=2 January 2020}}</ref> According to a VHP official, 1,200 people converted to Hinduism in a Ghar Wapsi event in Hyderabad.<ref name="deccan">{{cite web|url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/141228/nation-current-affairs/article/ghar-wapsi-boom-telangana-state-andhra-pradesh|title=Faith matters: 'Ghar Wapsi' boom in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh|work=Deccan Chronicle|access-date=4 January 2015|date=28 December 2014}}</ref> In October 2019, 500 Christian Dalits in Andhra Pradesh were convinced to become Hindu and promise to never go to church again.<ref>{{cite web|title=Andhra Pradesh, nationalists push Christians to mass conversion to Hinduism|url=http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Andhra-Pradesh,-nationalists-push-Christians-to-mass-conversion-to-Hinduism-48367.html|date=25 October 2019|access-date=31 October 2019|first=Nirmala|last=Carvalho|publisher=Asia News.it}}</ref>

===Jharkhand===
In April 2017, at least 53 tribal Christian families converted to Hinduism as part of the RSS's "Christianity-free" block campaign in [[Arki, Jharkhand]]. And at least seven other Christian families underwent a [[Shuddhi (Hinduism)|Shuddhi]]karan (purification ceremony) in Kochasindhri village.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Roy|first1=Saurav|title=RSS converts 53 families in drive to make block in Jharkhand 'Christianity-free'|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/rss-converts-53-families-in-drive-to-make-block-in-jharkhand-christianity-free/story-Um4Q7elItY4escQeynJHXM.html|access-date=18 September 2017|work=Hindustan Times|date=10 April 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Gupta|first1=Mohak|title=53 families converted to Hinduism: RSS in Jharkhand wants block to be Christianity-free|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/rss-53-families-converted-hindus-jharkhand-christianity-free/1/926251.html|access-date=18 September 2017|work=India Today|date=11 April 2017}}</ref>

In March 2021, 181 Christians in [[Garhwa district]] were converted to the tribal [[Sarna sthal|Sarna religion]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Singh|first=Sudhendra|title=ईसाई बने 181 लोगों ने की 'घर वापसी', पांव पखार कर सरना धर्म में हुआ स्वागत|url=https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/state/jharkhand/ranchi/181-people-who-became-christians-returned-to-the-sarna-religion-in-garhwa-jharkhand/articleshow/81516738.cms|access-date=15 March 2021|work=Navbharat Times|date=15 March 2021}}</ref>

===Punjab===
Between 2011 to 2014, about 8,000 Christians in Punjab were converted back to Sikhism. Most of the reconversion was done in the [[Hoshiarpur district]], followed by [[Amritsar district|Amritsar]] and [[Batala]].<ref>{{cite news |title=In Punjab, Sangh works for 'return' to Sikhism as well; SAD fumes |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/in-punjab-sangh-works-for-return-to-sikhism-as-well-sad-fumes/ |access-date=27 December 2019 |work=The Indian Express |date=22 December 2014}}</ref>

===West Bengal===
More than 100 tribal Christians were converted to Hinduism in the West Bengal's Birbhum district.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/east/story/ghar-wapsi-drive-reconversion-vhp-tribal-christians-converted-to-hinduism-jugal-kishore-praveen-togadia-west-bengal-237786-2015-01-29 |title = Ghar Wapsi: More than 100 tribal Christians converted to Hinduism in West Bengal}}</ref>

In February 15, 2018 an Organisation called Hindu sanhati led by Tapan Ghosh organized “ghar wapsi” with 16 members of a Muslim family, who had “been re-converted to Hinduism”, being showcased on the dais of rightwing outfit Hindu Samhati.<ref>{{Cite web |url=
https://m.timesofindia.com/city/kolkata/16-of-a-family-put-on-display-at-bengal-ghar-wapsi-event/amp_articleshow/62924729.cms|title=16 of a family put on display at Bengal ‘ghar wapsi’ event|access-date=11 October 2021|work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref>

===Uttar Pradesh===
During [[Agra religious conversions 2014]], it was claimed that 100 – 250 Muslims converted to Hinduism. In May 2017, RSS performed conversion of at least 22 Muslims, including women and children, into Hinduism in a secretive ceremony at an Aryasamaj Temple in [[Ambedkar Nagar district]] of [[Faizabad division|Faizabad]], [[Uttar Pradesh]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Ghar Wapsi: 22 Muslims convert into Hinduism in Faizabad, UP|url=http://www.oneindia.com/india/ghar-wapsi-22-muslims-convert-into-hinduism-faizabad-up-2440808.html|access-date=18 September 2017|work=Oneindia|date=22 May 2017}}</ref>

===Tripura===
In January 2019, 96 Tribal families that converted to Christianity 9 years prior, underwent Ghar Wapsi to reconvert back to Hinduism. The event took place in Kailashahar in Unakoti district in Tripura. The event was done by the Hindu Jagaran Mancham, an affiliate of the RSS, and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP).<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://indianexpress.com/article/north-east-india/tripura/ghar-wapsi-bid-in-tripura-96-christians-reconverted-to-hinduism/ | title='Ghar Wapsi' bid in Tripura: 96 Christians 'reconverted' to Hinduism| date=21 January 2019}}</ref>

===Kerala===
In 2015, about 35 people were reportedly converted to Hinduism at an event organised by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) in Alappuzha.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/keralas/549 |title = VHP holds 'ghar wapsi' for 35 tribal Christians in Kerala|date = 5 January 2015}}</ref> In 2015, 35 people converted to Hinduism in Kottayam district. They were Dalit families who had converted to Christianity a few generations back.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/35-reconverted-in-kottayam-district/article6899926.ece |title = 35 'reconverted' in Kottayam district|newspaper = The Hindu|date = 16 February 2015}}</ref>

===Tamil Nadu===
In 2015, first ghar wapsi happened in Tamil Nadu where 18 Dalit Christians reconverted to Hinduism by a ceremony done by the [[Hindu Makkal Katchi]].<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/first-ghar-wapsi-in-tamil-nadu-18-dalit-christians-re-converted/ | title=First 'ghar wapsi' in Tamil Nadu, 18 Dalit Christians 're-converted'| date=31 January 2015}}</ref>

===Gujarat===
In 2020, 144 tribal Hindus who converted to Christianity many years ago converted back to Hinduism in [[Dang district, India|Dang district, Gujarat]] by the Agniveer organisation.<ref>{{cite news |title=Gujarat: 144 tribals 'reconverted' to Hinduism in Dang|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/gujarat-144-tribals-reconverted-to-hinduism-in-dang-6235405/ |date=26 January 2020 |newspaper=Indian Express |department=City: World |agency=TNN |access-date=26 January 2020}}</ref>

==Reception==
Many Hindus in India, especially those affiliated with Hindutva-oriented organisations such as the [[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]] and [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh|RSS]], are supportive of Ghar Wapsi efforts to counter what they perceive as mass conversions to [[Islam]] and [[Christianity in India|Christianity]] and to a lesser extent [[Buddhism]] (neo-[[Navayana|Buddhism]]), among Dalit Hindus in [[India]]. Secular groups and political parties are critical of Ghar Wapsi, when it is done with the state's support, as they say that it threatens freedom of religion in the country.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Coming Home (Ghar Wapsi) and Going Away: Politics and the Mass Conversion Controversy in India|journal=Religions|volume=10|issue=5|pages=313|author=Rajeshwar, Yashasvini|author2= Roy C. Amore|date=9 May 2019|doi=10.3390/rel10050313|doi-access=free}}</ref>

==See also==
{{col div|colwidth=40em}}
* [[Shuddhi (Hinduism)|Shuddhi]]
* [[Dayanand Saraswati]]
* [[Swami Shraddhanand]]
* [[Agra religious conversions 2014]]
* [[Love Jihad]]
* [[Netaji Palkar]]
* [[Bukka Raya I]]
{{colend}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book |last=Jaffrelot |first=Christophe |chapter=Militant Hindus and the Conversion Issue (1885–1990): From Suddhi to Dharm Parivartan. The Politicization and Diffusion of an "Invention of Tradition" |title=Religion, Caste and Politics in India|year=2011|publisher=C Hurst & Co |isbn=978-1849041386 |pages=144–169 }}
* {{cite journal |last1=Sikand |first1=Yoginder |last2=Katju |first2=Manjari |title=Mass Conversions to Hinduism among Indian Muslims |journal=[[Economic and Political Weekly]] |volume=29 |pages=2214–2219 |number=34 |date=20 August 1994 |jstor=4401654}}
* {{cite journal |first=Iris |last=Vandevelde |s2cid=144627380 |title=Reconversion to Hinduism: A Hindu Nationalist Reaction against Conversion to Christianity and Islam |journal=South Asia: Journal of South Asian Studies |volume=34 |pages=31–50 |number=1 |doi=10.1080/00856401.2011.549083|year=2011 }}
* {{cite journal|journal=[[Economic and Political Weekly]]|volume=50|date=3 January 2015|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/24481234|last=Katju|first=Manjari|number=1|jstor=24481234|title=The Politics of "Ghar Wapsi"}}
* {{cite journal|journal=[[Economic and Political Weekly]]|volume=50|date=14 March 2015|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/24481481|last1=Vijayan|first1=P K|first2=Karen|last2=Gabriel|number=11|jstor=24481481|title=Hindutva's Psychological Warfare: The Insidious Agendas of "Ghar Wapsi"}}
==External links==
* [http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/the-politics-of-othering/ The politics of othering], Charu Gupta, Indian Express, 20 December 2014.
* [http://www.firstpost.com/india/ghar-vapsi-civil-society-needs-to-challenge-rsss-conversion-agenda-1848629.html Ghar Vapsi: Civil society needs to challenge RSS's conversion agenda], Firstpost, 14 December 2014
* [http://carnegieendowment.org/2015/01/07/reconversion-paradoxes 'Reconversion' Paradoxes], Christopher Jaffrelot, Indian Express, 7 January 2015
* [http://www.reddit.com/r/GharWapsi r/GharWapsi], Ghar Wapsi Subreddit

{{Sangh Parivar}}
{{Hindu reform movements}}
{{Hindudharma}}

[[Category:Religious conversion in India]]
[[Category:Vishva Hindu Parishad]]
[[Category:Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]]
[[Category:Hindutva]]
[[Category:Hinduism-related controversies]]

Ghar Wapsi - Revision history

>WikiLinuz at 15:38, 11 October 2021