The state’s ruling Trinamool Congress had alleged that the VHP conducted a ‘ghar wapsi’ ceremony at Kharmadanga village in Rampurhat in the district Wednesday during which nearly 150 Christians were ‘forcibly’ converted. The VHP refuted the charges of conversion but claimed that a Hindu religious ceremony was conducted that was participated by over 1,000 people from the village, including Muslims and Christians.
“On the basis of a complaint by one Dhin Murmu, we have registered an FIR (first information report) against Pravin Togadia and Jugal Kishore on charges of hurting religious sentiments,” Koteshwar Rao, sub-divisional police officer of Rampurhat, told. VHP general secretary organisation (East) Sachindra Nath Sinha, Wednesday had denied charges of conversion claiming it was a Hindu religious ceremony and not a ‘ghar wapsi’ (home-coming) – a term now being used to describe a conversion ceremony.
Reacting strongly, Trinamool Rajya Sabha chief whip Derek O’Brien said the state government was ascertaining details and if there was “even a hint of coercion or forced conversion, the issue will be dealt in the strongest manner possible”. (IANS)