Necessary : Gharvapasi of converted Hindus
Editorial
Hindus have been getting converted in India for the past 1,200 years. The forcible conversions of Hindus started with the first invasion of India by Muhammad bin Qasim. Earlier, Hindus voluntarily converted to Buddhism and Jainism. Hindus also voluntarily accepted Sikhism, which was established after Islam. However, history is witness that Islam had to be accepted, not voluntarily, but through the use of force.
After defeating Hindu kings, the only task of the Muslim invaders was to convert Hindus to Islam. It is a shame for Hindus that Tipu Sultan set a record of converting 1 lakh Hindus in just one day. When Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj emerged in such a situation, he defeated 5 Patshahis (Islamic kingdoms) and established his own kingdom. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj assured the Hindus that the Mughals could also be defeated. Later, our country was the Hindavi Swarajya for some time. It is important to note that only Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj purified Hindus who had been converted by the Mughals and other Muslim kings, and helped in Gharvapsi to Hindu Dharma. Not only this, Bajaaji Nimbalkar too was purified. Later, by marrying Bajaaji to a girl from his own family, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj set an example of how to treat those who have been purified.
Unfortunately, such purification was not done by Marathas and Peshwas in later times. Swatantryaveer Savarkar himself has said that this (purification) was not done even when it was possible for the Marathas to rule Delhi.
If Muslims were converting Hindus after winning a kingdom, it was the duty of Marathas to purify and readmit to Hindu Dharma Hindus who had been divided after their defeat. Even converted Hindus desired to return to their Dharma; however, they were disappointed. Since Gharvapasi was denied, a large number became enemies of the Hindu country and Hindu Dharma. The country is bearing the brunt of this. It will not be wrong to say that the country has been partitioned due to this mistake. Hindus need to make an effort so that this does not happen again.
Conversion means deserting the Nation
While Hindus were being converted by the Mughals, when the British came, Hindus were converted by the Christians. They continued leniently, though not by force or by the sword. While it was believed that conversion of Hindus by these two religions would stop after Independence, some States in North-East India became Christian-majority. It is worrying (for Hindus) that Hindus have become a minority in 8 States and Union Territories of the country today. Although Hindu organisations are trying to stop this, they have not succeeded. With the BJP Government at the Centre, Hindus are still being converted in our country. This conversion is being done by Christian missionaries and Muslim clerics. There are demands for a Uniform Civil Code, Anti-conversion law, Population control Bill, etc., and Hindus expect these to be fulfilled. In the first action taken after the Anti-conversion Law was passed in Uttar Pradesh, two fanatics who converted 1,000 Hindus have been arrested. It was revealed that they were getting help from Pakistan’s ISI. The UP Government enacted the Anti-conversion law, which is commendable. The question Hindus ask is – Why did the Central Government and other BJP-ruled States not pass such a law ? Even so, what were the Police, administration and intelligence agencies doing when 1,000 Hindus were being converted ? If 1,000 Hindus get converted in UP, what will be the situation in other States ? About 25% of people in Andhra Pradesh have become Christians; however, this is not noticed since they do not change their names after converting, said Mr. Raju, MP of the ruling YSR Congress Party. He said that it is a shame for Hindus that Hindus continue to get converted even after Independence.
Stop conversions of Hindus
To stop the menace of conversions permanently, Hindu organisations, sects, Shankaracharyas and Dharmacharyas should make efforts to bring Hindus back into the fold of Hindu Dharma. The Government should also implement a plan to bring converted Hindus back into Hindu Dharma. Hindus should demand this from the Government, only then the damage done to Hindus can be compensated. Hindus should not forget that Swatantryaveer Savarkar and Swami Vivekanand have said – ‘And then every man going out of the Hindu pale is not only a man less, but an enemy more’. Therefore, Hindus should become active at all levels for this now.
It is not enough to expose the conspiracy to convert Hindus, arrest the religious fanatics responsible for it and punish them; it is more important to bring the Hindus back home.
Increasing Muslim population through conversions and making India an Islamic country is ‘Population jihad’, which Christians have successfully implemented in North-East India; this should be realised and resisted. Hindus should not get converted. Therefore, education on Dharma should be imparted to Hindus. Hindu organisations should make efforts for this now on a war footing.