VHP's 'ghar wapsi' at Bodh Gaya flops

The VHP's 'ghar wapsi' programme at Bodh Gaya in Gaya district of Bihar Sunday was a big flop when most of the over 40 Mahadalit families comprising over 200 people, who four days back embraced Christianity, refused to return to Hinduism, officials said.

BJP MP from Gaya Hari Manjhi, himself a Mahadalit, Friday visited Atia village and announced that all those who converted to Christianity would be back to Hindu fold Sunday.

The Mahadalits, who embraced Christianity last week, sought security from the district police Sunday, alleging threats by the Hinduist organisations Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal in past few days, to re-convert to Hinduism.

"We have been threatened by the RSS, the VHP and Bajrang Dal members on daily basis since we converted to Christianity. They warned they would deprive us of all the benefits of government schemes and drive us out of the village if we did not return to Hinduism," a Mahadalit, who converted to Christianity, told IANS over telephone from Bodh Gaya, about 110 km from here.

Soon after reports that Mahadalits converted to Christianity. Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi ordered a probe into the incident.

"All those who converted Dec 25 were residents of Atia village near Bodh Gaya...They refused to attend VHP's 'ghar wapsi' and made it clear that they have changed their religion without any pressure or allurement. It was their own decision for a life with dignity and honour," a district police official said.

Only a week ago, over half a dozen Hindus converted to Christianity in Bhagalpur district but recanted after they were threatened with social boycott.