Conversion Confusion

This has become the hot topic of politicians from Delhi to Dehradun and Mumbai to Chennai or Kanyakumari. Every politician is opining on this issue. Moreover some religious leaders (actual, factual, self styled, self imposed upon people) are also in the fray, striving to be heard, shown and published.

For me the Agra incident of ‘conversion’ seems to be the part of a larger conspiracy to bring an act in the parliament against conversions after heating this issue to the maximum level.

But the question is why some people want to stop conversions. Let us firs understand what the conversion is. If a person practicing a particular religion changes his/her religion after probably being impressed or inspired by the other one, it can be called as conversion.

The person may do this either by affection towards the other religion or for the hate or dislike for his own religion or practice. Constitution of India has also given this basic right to all of its citizens. A person can practice or follow any religion of his/her choice.

Then what was the difficulty? Who is actually much worried for this provision. I think the people who think that their practice was vulnerable to be shaken by this provision would possibly raise their voice against any such rational provision in the Constitution.

Now they wanted to bring amendment in these provisions. Now coming to the Agra, some ‘intellectuals’ arranged a havan or some kind of ritual to change the religion of some Muslims (Who were wearing skull caps at that time).

Reportedly, they have offered these underprivileged people a ration card, money and other sops if they consent to change their religion. Later on this event was publicized much through ‘responsible’ media. To some extent it was good to see this news in all kind of media. But later the actual agenda of the people behind this whole episode came to light.

They termed all the conversions in the past, dating back to 11^th century, forced conversions and hence called all the Muslims, Christians and Budhists to get back to their ‘own religion’.

How funny! But I don’t think that people of India are fools any more. India is a mature democracy today. Amateur religious leaders cannot run their show like this. Though they have planned it well but this gimmick is not going to work.

Demanding to ban conversion or freedom to follow any religion would be like challenging the very basics of this country. Even if they succeed in this task, it would become very difficult for them to hold several ‘uninterested religion mates’ in the future and then they themselves would be under pressure.

As far as conversion is concerned, forceful conversion either by muscle power or by monetary power should not be accepted. It should be up to a person as to which religion he/she wanted to follow.