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Describing the ghar wapsi programme as “connecting back to one’s cultural roots”, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has claimed that it does not believe in conversion.
RSS Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh Manmohan Vaidya said the controversial ghar wapsi (homecoming) — frequently described as (re)converting members of the Muslim and Christians communities to Hinduism — is a “natural urge among people to reconnect to their cultural roots”.
“Conversion and ghar wapsi are different. The Sangh does not believe in conversion. So many Muslims and Christians come to our shakhas (branches). We don’t convert them. Not just in India, but all over the world, people are connecting back to their cultural roots,” said Vaidya, while addressing mediapersons on Saturday.
After a gap of 15 years, the RSS is hosting its karyakarta shibir (volunteer camp) in Gujarat. Vaidya argued that ghar wapsi had not created any law and order problem. “The Opposition has been raking it up because they do not have other relevant issues. Otherwise, ghar wapsi has not created any law and order problem. The Centre is quite capable of responding to the Opposition,” he added. Talking about growth in volunteer registrations, Vaidya said while there were 1,000 online registration per month in 2012 on the RSS website, in 2013 and 2014, the per-month registration grew to 2,500 and 9,000, respectively.
“In Gujarat, it grew from 45 per month in 2012 to 180 and 490 in 2013 and 2014, respectively. The shibir (camp) is being organised to give momentum to volunteer additions,” said Vaidya. Around 25,000 registered to attend the camp in Ahmedabad, the attendance was around 60 per cent, said Vaidya. He added that the turnout was satisfactory.
Clearing the air on mandatory voting, Vaidya said, “We are not calling for mandatory voting. The Sangh has always worked towards voter awareness for a healthy democracy.”
