Religious Conversions Discussed at Hindu Meeting in Lucknow

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LUCKNOW, INDIA, March 12, 2007: At a meeting held in Lucknow on March 12, the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) discussed the issue of religious conversions in India. Speaking to over 1,400 delegates RSS national deputy chief Mohan Bhagwat said, "I do not deny that conversions had also taken place on account of ills in Hindu society, and that is why we are emphasizing on the need to reform ourselves. Our objective is to call upon the masses to sink differences of caste, sect and religion, as well as of political affiliations, in the larger interest of building social harmony and goodwill. Unless Hindu society gets rid of its ills, we cannot set a good example for those belonging to other faiths. The RSS is not opposed to schemes actually meant for the uplift of economically weak Muslims. We oppose the policy of minority appeasement followed by the central government. I wish to make it loud and clear that such a policy always obstructs Hindu-Muslim unity. Therefore, it must be ensured that the economic development schemes are genuinely directed towards only the poorer sections of society, irrespective of caste, creed or religion."