Probe ordered into Hindus' conversion to Christianity

A probe has been ordered into the conversions of nearly a dozen Hindus to Christianity in two Bihar villages, an official Wednesday said.

Twelve poor Hindus, including women, were converted to Christianity at Barohiya village and Gangaldeh village in Bhagalpur district, 200 km from here, early this week.

"I have directed a district official to investigate into the matter after we were informed that some people had changed their religion and converted to Christianity," Bhagalpur District Magistrate Virendra Prasad Yadav said.

Yadav said that according to the information with them, the people converted to Christianity without pressure or allurement.

"Lets wait for the probe report into the matter," he said.

However, right wing Hindu organisations have alleged that Christian missionaries allured them to convert by promising them money.

"We will try for their Ghar Wapsi soon," Rakesh Sinha, a local Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader, said.

Sinha said that the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), Bajrang Dal and the RSS will protest against Hindus being converted to Christianity by allurement and oppose any move by Christian missionaries to convert more Hindus.

However, villagers said they had been suffering from some health problems and were suggested to follow Christian practices as remedial measures, and hence they converted.

"They informed police that they converted because they believed it will help them get rid of some health problems they were suffering from for months," a police official said.