Saturday, March 12 2005 14:07 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Mangalore: Describing religious conversions as a key reason for "continuous decline" of Hindu population in India, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) today (Mar 12, 2005) indicated it's keen for a push to re-conversion of those who embraced other faiths.

Akhila Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha (APBS), the highest policy-making body of RSS, at its three-day annual conclave in Mangalore, gave a call to Hindu religious and social leaders to make efforts of re-conversion a regular part of their socio-religious activities.

It also decried the "apathy" towards conversions and "indifference" towards the issue of homecoming by the Hindu society and called for a shift in the Hindu mindset over the matter.

ABPS expressed the view that separatist and terrorist activities have mushroomed in areas where the percentage of Hindus has declined.

Terming "continuous decline" in the proportion of Hindu population all over India as an issue of grave concern, the gathering of around 1,200 delegates from RSS and over 30 "Parivar" organisations, which included the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) adopted a resolution on the issue of declining Hindu population.

It said from 1881 onwards, every census showed decline in Hindu percentage, and 2001 census figures have further shown that Hindus have turned into a minority in some parts of India and are on the verge of turning into a minority in some other parts.

"The disastrous consequences of the decline in percentage of Hindu population are revealed in many ways. The dangers posed due to this decline to democracy, secularism, pluralistic social order, respect for other religious faiths, which are the highlights of Hindu ethos are well known," the delegates said.

ABPS was of the opinion that although elements, which believe in religious conversions are behind this (declining Hindu population), the tendency of Hindu society to neglect this "perilous problem" is also responsible for this.

"The apathy towards conversions and indifference towards the issue of home-coming are the symptoms of this tendency. There is an urgent need for a shift in the Hindu mindset over this issue, and all Hindus be awakened to work towards this."

The ABPS appealed to the heads of religious sects and institutions such as Mutts and Mandirs, Vihars and Gurudwaras to play a vital role in this shift. Emphasising the need for awareness against conversions among the disciples and earnestness in promoting systematic efforts for the homecoming must become a regular part of their socio-religious activities, it said.

It also appealed to them to take initiative in inviting the converts from their respective faiths to return to the faiths of their great ancestors. "We call upon the leaders of various caste and other social groups to come forward to encourage those who got alienated from them for whatever reasons, to come back and extend a warm welcome to them as their own blood-relations."