Forced "reconversion" to Hinduism reported in West Bengal ‎

The chief minister of eastern India’s West Bengal state has demanded an investigation into alleged complaints against Hindu radicals for ‘inciting hatred’ and forcefully converting tribal Christian and Muslim families to Hinduism.  State police are investigating Praveen Togadia, national president of the radical group, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), for "inciting hatred".  The police have accepted a second complaint against Jugal Kishore, general secretary of the VHP, accused of "inciting hatred and use of force on tribal people". The investigations started on Thursday on the orders of West Bengal Chief Minister Banerjee, after yet another case of ‘ghar wapsi’ (homecoming) ceremony of reconversion to Hinduism.  The "homecoming" ceremony as the Hindu radicals call it, took place on January 28 in the tribal village of Rampurhat (Birbhum district). About 17 Christian and two Muslim families have been "reconverted" to Hinduism, through shuddhi havan (purification) and other rituals. Togadia and other VHP leaders attended the event.  However, two young tribals present in the programme have decided to press charges.

After the news spread, other cases of ghar wapsi conducted in recent weeks emerged, along the border between West Bengal and Jharkhand states.  They include a new complaint filed by the missionaries of the Society Don Bosco operating at Baropahari (Jharkhand).  According to Fr. Agapit Minj, at least 15 Christian families have been "reconverted" by the VHP.  The Church of Don Bosco Baropahari is the only Catholic church to work among the tribal population of the area, scattered in 73 villages. According to the church, at least 164 families have converted to Christianity in the last two years. "We do not baptize people like they do - explains Fr. Minj to Indian Express - we invite them to start coming to church, and to send their children to school and hostels. If people are spiritually and mentally convinced to embrace Christianity, then we baptize them".