India: Ghar Wapsi Program 1s75y

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IPS Situation Brief

India: Ghar Wapsi Program – An Overview By Ms. Waqar-un-Nisa1

Abstract [India has witnessed a noticeable increase in communal tensions post May, 2014 election. Among the rising cases of violence against minorities, the issue of reconversions also came in to light. Reconversion, in India, is not a new phenomenon but it has intensified in 2014-2015. This brief explores the emergence of the phenomenon of mass reconversion under the flag of Ghar Wapsi (Home coming); how it contradicts the Indian constitution and secularism, what motivated such occurrence at this point of time and how state and society have reacted to the recurrence of this phenomenon.]

India claims to be a secular country and the world’s largest democracy. The Preamble of the Indian constitution describes the country as a “Secular Democratic Republic”.2 Article 25 of the Indian constitution sanctions all citizens of India the ‘freedom of conscience and the right to freely profess, practice and propagate religion.’3 Notwithstanding the assertion of a secular state, the rights of religious minorities are often threatened in India. The cases of communal clashes have regularly been witnessed.4 Since BJP has taken the charge of the government in the year 2014, an increase in communal tensions has been observed. Annual report of United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) 20155 and Amnesty International Report 6published in July, 2015, also highlighted the increase in communal violence post May 2014 elections. BJP is largely influenced by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a Hindu nationalist group which also ed BJP in the election held in 2014.7 Since then, many actions of the government have caused discomfort among minorities i.e. change in curriculum8, beef ban, ban on cow

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Assistant Research Coordinator, Institute of Policy Studies, Islamabad. The Constitution of India, available at the website of Indian Ministry of Law. 3 Ibid. 4 B Rajeshwari, “Communal Riots in India: A Chronology,” IPCS Research papers, March 2004. Accessed 18 August,2015, http://www.nagarikmancha.org/images/1242-Documents-Communal_Riots_in_India.pdf 5 “India” in Annual Report 2015 by United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, (2015):149-154, Available at: http://www.uscirf.gov/reports-briefs/annual-report/2015-annual-report 6 “India” in The State Of The World’s Human Rights by Amnesty International,(2015): 178-182, available at www.amnesty.org 7 Anuja Bose, “Hindutva and the Politicization of Religious Identity in India,” Journal of Peace, Conflict and Development 13(february 2009):16, http://www.bradford.ac.uk/ssis/peace-conflict-and-development/issue13/Issue-13-Article-8-formatted.pdf 2

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Andrew MacAskill and Rupam Jain Nair, “Fears grow in India about Hindu 'Modi-fication' of education,” Reuters, New Dehli, Nov 21, 2014, accessed, August 20, 2015, http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/11/21/us-indiareligion-education-idUSKCN0J50BZ20141121

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slaughter9, celebrations of International Yoga Day at national level10 etc. are a few such examples. Apart from that the Hindu Nationalists have gained more confidence to attack the minorities i.e. attack on churches, harassment of Christian nuns, and the organization of ‘reconversions’ under the Ghar Wapsi program etc, the annual report of United States Commission for International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) - 2015 underlines: “Since the election, religious minority communities have been subject to derogatory comments by politicians linked to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and numerous violent attacks and forced [re-]conversions by Hindu nationalist groups, such as Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP).”11

Inspired by Hindutva ideology, Gahr Wapsi (homecoming) aims at reconverting all Muslims and Christians into Hindus as their ancestors, in their view, were originally Hindus converted to Christianity and Islam by force, either by Christian missionaries or Muslim rulers in the subcontinent. 12In this context, RSS stresses that the Muslims or Christians’ conversions to Hinduism under Ghar Wapsi Program, should be termed as reconversions instead of conversions, because it is the reconversion of already converted from Hinduism. An RSS leader, Dr. Manmohan Vaidya explains, ‘The homecoming is a natural urge to reconnect to the original roots.’13 Dr. Vaidya also refers to the history of reconversion that it was a decade long practice.14 Its history even goes back to Arya Samaj of 1875 movement and Shudhi (Purification) movement of 1920s. Arya Samaj introduced the idea of conversion of non-Hindus into Hinduism. Similarly, Shuddhi movement of 1920s was based on the same ideology. This movement led to the deadly riots between Hindus and Muslims in Punjab (mainly the sub-continent).15 In this backdrop it is not surprising that a number of events of mass conversions (reconversion) of minorities were reported by media during the late 2014, after BJP took over the government in Delhi. RSS and its associates groups (known as Sangh Parivar) and Vishwa Hindu Parshad (VHP), were involved in the organization of these events which were held under the catchphrase of ‘Ghar Wapsi’ program. Utar Pradesh was the Centre of the Ghar Wapsi program while a few cases were

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Manil Suri, “A Ban on Beef in India is Not the Answer,” The New York Times, April 17, 2015, accessed, August19, 2015. 10 Antonia Blumberg, “Planned Celebrations For International Yoga Day Stir Controversy In India”, The Huffington Post, June 10, 2015, accessed August 19, 2015 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/06/09/international-yogaday-india_n_7546556.html, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/06/09/international-yoga-day-india_n_7546556.html 11 United States Commission for International Religious Freedom- Report 2015 12 Interview of Dr. Manmohan Vaidya available at the official website of RSS. http://www.rss.org//Encyc/2014/12/30/-Homecoming-is-a-natural-urge-to-reconnect-to-roots--says-DrManmohan-Vaidya%EF%BB%BF.aspx 13 Ibid. 14 Ibid. 15 Jawaid Alam, Government and Politics in Colonial Bihar, 1921-1937, (New Delhi: Mittel Publications,2004): 172.

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reported in Gujrat and Kerala. Christian community remained the main target in this particular row events between late 2014 and early 2015.16 While most of the events were organized in Uttar Pradesh (UP), Rajeshwar Singh, the head of Dharam Jargan Manch (DJM), the associate of RSS was the Patron of Ghar Wapsi program in UP. Singh had formed teams in different areas to work on this program.17 The istration of Ghar Wapsi program in UP indicates the organizational to Singh, who set the target of reconversion of all Christians and Muslims by 2021.18 The intentions behind the program are very clear. At an event of conversion in August 2014, Singh stated, “We will cleanse our Hindu society. We will not let the conspiracy of church or mosque succeed in Bharat (India).”19 The RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s statement against the -world renowned late social worker, Mother Teresa, which came after the controversy aroused over reconversions is also indicative in this regard. He said, “People like Mother Teresa did good work and service, but the aim was to convert the poor to Christianity.”20 This also indicates the reactionary nature of the Ghar Wapsi program which largely targets the Christians. A grand Ghar Wapsi program was announced in Aligharh on the eve of Christmas, though, it was canceled later, due to a row of reactions. The frustration of Hindu nationalists against Christians is also visible in the heinous attacks on Churches by Hindu extremists in recent months.21 BJP kept silence on this matter, allowing the Hindu nationalists getting ahead with the agenda. The first major case highlighted in media was the event of reconversion in Agra. It was reported in December, when the winter session (November 24 –December 23) of the Indian Parliament was going on. A strong reaction came from the opposition parties and proceedings were disrupted several times due to the opposition’s protest over the issue of conversion. The ive attitude of government was strongly condemned. 22 Minorities’ representative groups and forums also condemned it strongly urging the government to take action against the culprits. As the conversion row happened just before the visit of US. President, Barack Obama to India in January, he also

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A list of events is attached in annexure. “RSS quietly dumps 'Ghar Wapsi', The Economic Times, Jan 2, 2015. 18 “Hindu outfit plans to ‘finish’ Islam, Christianity by 2021,” The Indian Express, December 19, 2014, accessed July 1, 2015, http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/hindu-outfit-plans-to-finish-islam-christianity-by2021/#sthash.ivwpgnWS.dpuf . 19 Rupam Jain Nair and Frank Jack Daniel, “Love Jihad' and religious conversion polarize in Modi's India,” Reuters, Sep 4, 2014, accessed, July 1, 2015, http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/09/04/us-india-religion-modi-insightidUSKBN0GZ2NH20140904 20 “RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat targets Mother Teresa, says her social work was for conversion,” First Post, Feb 24, 2015, accessed, June 4, 2015, http://www.firstpost.com/india/rss-chief-mohan-bhagwat-targets-mother-teresasays-her-social-work-was-for-conversion-2117707.html 21 United States Commission for International Religious Freedom- Report 2015, 150 22 Raghvendra Rao and Rakesh Sinha, “Under Opposition Fire, Centre counters: Bring anti-conversion law,” Indian Express, Dec 12, 2014, accessed, Jan 10, 2015, http://indianexpress.com/article/india/politics/cornered-govtcounters-bring-anti-conversion-law/2/. 17

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voiced his concern over religious freedom twice, during23 and after24 his visit. This added to the pressure on BJP by the opposition and minorities, though civil society and the NGOs did not react as openly as is expected, generally, from such groups in secular democracies. It may be pointed out here that on the alleged basis of fueling religious unrest or damaging the image of secularism in the state, a select NGOs like Sabrang trust, Citizens for Justice and peace, INSAF, Peoples Watch etc, have also recently come under pressure from the Indian authorities.25 The approach of government on the issue of conversions changed following the criticism. This was the move to regain the of minorities and also to save the image of secularism which has been impaired due to the unobstructed activities of Hindu nationalists since the election of the BJP government. After an initial defense by some of the ruling party to justify RSS’s stance on conversions, Modi conveyed his concern and urged to stop the conversions, through a meeting held between the leadership of RSS and BJP.26 When the controversy heightened, the criticism from abroad may have also pushed him to appease the world by preaching religious harmony. While attending ceremony of canonization of two Christian Saints, he said in his speech, “My government will ensure that there is complete freedom of faith and that everyone has the undeniable right to retain or adopt the religion of his or her choice without coercion or undue influence.” 27

RSS had continued to justify its stance on religious conversion until Modi intervened. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat justified it in these words: "When the thief is being caught and my property has been recovered, when I am taking back my own property, what is new in it?" He further said, "If you don't like it (re-conversion to Hinduism), then bring a law against it. You don't want to bring it. If you don't want to change into a Hindu, then you should not convert Hindus too. We are firm in our position."28 However, after Modi’s intervention, he was assured of cooperation by the RSS leadership. RSS, then suspended Rajeshwar Singh, the coordinator of Ghar Wapsi program in Uttar Pradesh.29 This suspension ended the series of events under Ghar Wapsi program. The suspension of Singh on Modi’s intervention was seen as an indication that government’s was behind the program and when it was withdrawn, the program seemed to be weakened, at least for the time being. Earlier, a deliberate silence was being kept by the BJP led government. It was 23

Frank Jack Daniel and Roberta Rampton, “In parting shot, Obama prods India on religious freedom,” Reuters, Jan 27, 2015, accessed, April 19, 2015, http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/01/27/us-india-obamaidUSKBN0L00FD20150127. 24 Annie Gown, “Obama’s Remarks on Religious intolerance in India provoke outrage,” Washington Post, February 06, 2015, http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2015/02/06/obamas-remarks-on-religiousintolerance-in-india-provoke-outrage/ 25 Cedric Prakash, “Attack on Civil Society Activism” in John Dayal and Shabnam Hashmi eds., 365 Days Democracy and Secularism under the Modi Regime, report (ANHAD, 2015), 65. Accessed, July15, 2015. 26

“Narendra Modi government tells RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat to keep a check on conversion hype,” The Economic Times, December 27, 2014, http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2014-12-27/news/57441254_1_rss-hqrss-chief-mohan-bhagwat-rss-sarsanghchalak 27

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India Real Time, Narendra Modi’s Speech on Minority in Full Speech, Wall Street Journal, Feb 18, 2015, http://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2015/02/18/narendra-modis-speech-on-minority-religions-in-full/. 28 “If you don't like conversion, bring law against it: Bhagwat, Kolkata,” Deccan Herald, Dec 20, 2014, accessed, June 4, 2015, http://www.deccanherald.com/content/448813/if-you-dont-like-conversion.html. 29 The Economic Times, “RSS quietly dumps 'Ghar Wapsi' pointsman”

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broken only when the damage was inflicted on the image and policies of the government. When the RSS avoided the publicity of Ghar Wapsi program, apparently settling the matter over reconversions with BJP to minimize the controversy, a VHP leadership declared that Ghar Wapsi programme will continue till the fifteen crore people who have left the Hindutva fold post Independence, are reconverted to Hinduism.” As a permanent solution to the ‘problem’, BJP also suggested the implementation of Anticonversion law in all states and center. In Parliament, BJP’s Minister of Parliamentary affairs started the debate by proposing the adoption of anti- conversion law at national level.30 While the opposition rejected the idea, a debate was generated in the media. Ironically, RSS also ed the ban on conversions. Notably anti-Conversion laws have already been adopted in six Indian States.31 These laws are termed as Freedom of Religion Acts prohibiting conversions by force, fraud and inducement. According to these laws, people have to inform the district government about their intentions to convert. In some states, Gujrat, Chhattisgarh and Himachal Pradesh, permission from the state is necessary before conducting the conversion. Yet in Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, RSS Associates organized reconversions despite the anti-conversion laws in place. On the other hand, many cases have been filed against Christian Missionaries alleging forced conversions in BJP led states. No action, however, has been taken in these states, against those converting people belonging to religious minorities into Hinduism.32 Anti-conversion laws are against the spirit of the Article 25 of Indian constitution which allows individuals to ‘profess and propagate’ religion. Understandably than, USCIRF’s annual report 2015 places India in the second tier 33 countries. One of the reason behind this placement is the implementation of anti–conversion laws in six states.34 Apparently these laws are against forced conversions but there is a bias in its implementation. The key of these laws e.g. force and inducement are vaguely defined which could lead to the exploitation.35 It is also significant that the people converting to Islam and Christianity and Buddhism, etc. are mostly Dalit (low caste Hindus also called untouchables) who face highly discriminatory treatment within the fold of Hinduism.38 Anti-conversion laws are mostly implemented in the states where tribals and Dalit 30

Rao & Sinha, “Under Opposition Fire, Centre counters: Bring anti-conversion law. See detail in Annexure II. 32 Brinda Karat, “Really, RSS? An Anti-Conversion Law?” NDTV, December 22, 2014, accessed, April 19,2015, http://www.ndtv.com/opinion/really-rss-an-anti-conversion-law-716609 33 USCIRF divides the countries to be monitored in the categories of Tier one and Tier Two. In Tier one, countries of particular concern (C) in context of violation of religious freedom, are included while Tier Two includes the countries with serious religious intolerance but not fully meeting the criteria of C. 34 United States Commission for International Religious Freedom- Report 2015, 149 35 Angela Wu Howard, “Leveraging legal protection for religious Liberty,” in Allen D. Hertzke ed., The Future of Religious Freedom: Global Challenges, , (New York: Oxford University Press, 2013), 71-72. 38 In the wake of Dalit’s’ conversion from Hinduism to other religions, the role of Dr. Ambedkar, Indian Scholar, political leader and the contributor in drafting of Indian Constitution, is very prominent. Being a Dalit himself, he instigated the Dalit community to come out of Hindu fold to attain equal human, social, political and political rights. He embraced Buddhism along with his 1 to 5 lac followers in 1956. Here is an excerpt from one of his speech, “Why do you remain in a religion which does not treat you as human beings? Why do you remain in a 31

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community is in large number.39 So, the purpose is to make the process of leaving Hinduism complicated for weak and poor classes. It is not difficult to realize that the aim of anti-conversion laws and the Ghar Wapsi program are the same i.e. to prevent the religious demographic changes in Hindu society. The fear of increase in the population of religious minorities has pushed a BJP’s MP to state that Hindus should have more Children to protect Hinduism in India.41 A recent study has projected India to be the country with largest Muslim population in 2050 with an increase from 14 percent to 18 percent of total population in the country.42 Reacting to this survey, again, a VHP leader also advised Hindus that, “there are only two ways to remove the demographic imbalance; either the Hindus should increase their population or there should be a uniform civil code on it.”43 Ghar Wapsi is not an individual plan; it is the part of a larger Hindutva strategy, which is there to Hinduise the Indian society, compelling minorities to follow majority’s rules, either it is through change in curriculum, beef ban, attacks on religious minorities, relating Surya Namaskar with yoga or it is the matter of reconversions. While RSS may not again go for mass reconversion but the strategy of reconversion at smaller level which has been continued since decades is not going to be stopped.44 RSS may now be careful as it does not want to harm the Party which remains its hope for furthering its agenda.45 Moreover, as such practices damage the image of so called secular India, Modi would also want to mend it. Ghar Wwapsi seemed to be weakened but the Hindutva ideologists did not want it to vanish. Since January, 2015, no incident of reconversion was highlighted by the media, but in July 2015, another incident occurred in Kerala which was reported in media.46 In July 2015 VHP provided the figures of Ghar Wapsi program (June 2014- July 2015) in an annual report: it was announced that 33,975

religion which prohibits you from entering temples? Why do you remain in a religion which prohibits you from securing drinking water from the public well? Why do you remain in a religion which comes in your way for getting a job? Why do you remain in a religion which insults you at every step?” the speech is available at : http://www.columbia.edu/itc/mealac/pritchett/00ambedkar/txt_ambedkar_salvation.html In this background, the history of India saw mass conversions of Dalits into Buddhism, Islam and Christianity. 39 Saurav Datta, “India's mass conversion problem,” Al Jazeera, Jan 4, 2015, accessed, May 20, 2015, http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2015/01/india-mass-conversion-problem-20151274531627294.html 41 “India MP Sakshi Maharaj: Hindus must have more babies,” BBC News, January 7, 2015, accessed Sep 18, 2015, http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-30706431 . 42 Demographic Study, Pew Research Centre, April 2, 2015,accessed on Sep 18,2015, http://www.pewforum.org/2015/04/02/religious-projections-2010-2050/ 43 “VHP demands uniform law to 'rectify' demographic 'imbalance,” Deccan Herald, April 4, 2015, accessed, Sep 19,2015, http://www.deccanherald.com/content/469716/vhp-demands-uniform-law-rectify.html 44 The Economic Times, “RSS quietly dumps 'Ghar Wapsi” 45 Manjari Katju, “The Politics of Ghar Wapsi,” Economic and Political Weekly, January, 2015. 46

'Ghar Wapsi' in Kerala: 39 Christians re-converted to Hinduism, Oneindia, July 20, 2015, accessed, September 19, 2015, http://www.oneindia.com/india/ghar-wapsi-in-kerala-39-christians-re-converted-to-hinduism-1811725.html .

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people were reconverted to Hinduism and 48,651 people were abstained from conversion from Hinduism. 47 Since reconversion is not a new phenomenon, Hindutva forces will keep it alive. As long as the Hindutva forces are strengthened, the threat to the minority religion and the fear of reconversions would prevail in India.

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Pratul Sharma, “VHP Claims Huge Success in 'Ghar Wapsi' Campaign,” The New Indian Express, July 5, 2015, accessed, September 19, 2015, http://www.newindianexpress.com/thesundaystandard/VHP-Claims-Huge-Successin-Ghar-Wapsi-Campaign/2015/07/05/article2902434.ece.

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Annexure 1

Cases of Conversions 2014-2015 Date

August, 2014

August, 2014 October, 2014 October, 2014 December 8, 2014 20th December 2014 21st December, 2014 December 25, 2014

Number of People Victims/ targets A Christian family (number not known) 72

Religious Minority

Place of Conversion

Organizers

Christian

Hasayan, Uttar Pradesh

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS

Christians

RSS

23

Christians

Asroi (Uttar Pradesh) Uttar Pradesh

310

Christians

350

Muslims

100

Christian tribals

30

Christians

Alappuzha (Kerala)

VHP

59

Christians

Kerala

VHP

Christians

Amritsar, Punjab Kharmadanga, West Bengal Kerala:

RSS’s VHP

December 128 30, 2014 January 28, 150 2015 19, July 39 2015

Christians Christians

Jaunpur of Uttar Pradesh Agra (Uttar Associate pradesh groups of RSS Valsad, Gujrat VHP

Remarks

These victims were re-reconverted to Islam later.

VHP

Following Programs were announced but were canceled later on.

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December 25, 2014

5,000

Jan 1, 2015 3000

Christians: 4,000 Muslims: 1,000

Alighar (Uttar RSS Pradesh)

Muslims

Ayodhya, Gujrat

VHP

Annexure 11 Anti-Conversion laws States Orissa Madhya Pradesh Chhattisgarh Arunachal Pradesh Himachal Pradesh Gujrat

Year of Enactment 1967 1968 1968 1978 2006 2003

The event (Grand Ghar Wapsi) was announced prior to Christmas but was canceled due to nationwide opposition. The program was announced by VHP in Jan, 2015 to be organized in Feb 2015, but could not be materialized in after much criticism.