Stop RSS-sponsored reconversions: CPI-M

Says BJP and the RSS are indulging in doublespeak by talking about religious conversions

The CPI-M Sunday called for an end to what it alleged was "RSS-sponsored reconversion campaign" targeted at religious minorities.

"The BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) and the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh) are indulging in doublespeak by talking about religious conversions," it said in a statement.

"RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has justified this reconversion as bringing back people to their original faith," the Communist Party of India-Marxist said.

"At the same time, the BJP and RSS leaders are demanding a law to ban forcible religious conversions.

"There is no need for such a law as article 25 of the Indian constitution provides for 'freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religions'.

"If there is any forcible conversion it is already covered under Indian Penal Code as it classifies forcible attempts in the name of religion as a criminal offence."

The CPI-M said the campaign for forcible reconversion and the call for a law to ban forcible conversions were directed against religious minorities and intended to use the issue to sharpen communal divisions.