Press-Release Date: 12-Feb-2006

Dharmasabha passes a resolution about unlawful conversions

Bharat is the only such country in the world which is itself religious and equally respects all other religions. It has given refuge to every other religion. This tolerance, today, is proving a curse for the country. Article 25 of the Indian Constitution has granted to its citizens, equal freedom of thought, religion its observance as well as practicing of the same.

The Supreme Court has, time and again, clarified this matter. But this section prohibits conversion through pressure, deceit or alluration nor is it the basic right of anyone to carry on conversions. The very mental get up of a person changes after conversion. Apathy, disrespect towards their traditions and ancestors, is imbibed through conversions, which result into separatism.
The results of the recent census could prove as eye opener. Population of the Muslims has spiraled to 32.9%, whereas that of the Christians to 22.1% compaired to this, the growth rate of Hindu population has come down to only 20%.
Because of the outrageous attack of those from the overseas, 18% of the tribal population has been deprived of their Sanatan Dharma. This strength stood at only half of this in 1951. Due to large scale conversions in the Eastern Timor province of Indonesia, an altogether different independent state has been created. Bharat should take lessons from instances like these.
It is the demand of this Dharma Sabha that, taking into consideration our internal and external security, the Government of India should enact deterrent and stricter laws to protect the survival of the scheduled cast & schedule tribes population with their Dharma and culture and to prevent their unlawful conversions.
This Dharma Sabha welcomes the decision No. 240/1997 dated 28-1-2004 of the Supreme Court of India, which clearly states that, “No person from the scheduled cast, schedule tribe, will be considered as belonging to his tribe or caste if after conversion to other religion, he leaves his traditional religious practices and culture in vogue.” This Dharma Sabha urges all those following Sanatan Dharma, their organizations, their traditional and constitutional institutions, their social leaders and the youth to understand this conspiracy and unite together to raise their voice against those who are engaged in the deplorable work of converting the Bharatiya tribals and creating division amongst them.
Madhukar Andhare
Vishva Samvad Kendra-Gujarat