Bhagwat's remarks on conversions 'reckless': CPI

Terming RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat's recent remarks that conversions will continue to take place in the country as "reckless", CPI today said that RSS and its organizations should stop all attacks against the minorities in the interest of unity and integrity of India.
"The Central Secretariat of the CPI expresses its serious concern at the statement of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat that 'Ghar Vapsi' or conversions will take place as all the Muslims and Christians in India were converted from Hinduism. This is a reckless statement," the party said in a statement.
It said centuries-old conversions cannot be cancelled in a stroke with 'Ghar Vapsi' campaign by threats and use of force.

"It will bring new tension, clashes and communal violence. No religion should be allowed to convert from other religions by force and corruption or inducement," the party said.
"RSS and its organizations should stop all attacks against the minorities in the interest of unity and integrity of India," it said.
Accusing RSS and BJP of "indulging in double speak" on the issue of religious conversions, CPI(M) had yesterday said that there was no need for a separate anti-conversion law as there were already provisions under IPC to put a check on forcible conversions.

It had said that RSS organizations were conducting a reconversion campaign targeting the minorities.

"The polit bureau demands that the RSS-sponsored reconversion campaign be prohibited using the provisions of the law," CPI(M) had said.
The party had said that there was no need for such a law as Article 25 of the 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 (Section 153(a)) as it classifies forcible attempts in the name of religion as a criminal offence," the party had said.