Quota benefits not meant for converts to other faiths: VHP

Nagpur: The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) has alleged secret conversions, mainly into Christianity, by persons from scheduled castes or scheduled tribes, but such converts continuing to avail the benefits of reservation without disclosing their change of faith.
Seeking a crackdown on such claimants by government, central secretary general of VHP Milind Parande said reservations are not meant for people of other religions. Parande is the second-in-command in the VHP.
“Reservations are meant for the depressed classes and tribes among Hindus. Change of faith does away with the privilege. However, there are persons who have completely left their original way of living and beliefs and have adopted new religion, especially Christianity. This has been done without outwardly declaring the change and they continue to avail the benefits of reservation policy,” he said.
“Any religion that has originated in India is taken as our own,” said Parande, adding VHP considers neo-Buddhists as Hindus only.
Parande said VHP activists are also keeping a tab on such development apart from working against religious conversions. “There are villages where suddenly a church has come up, but there are no Christians officially. However, some people have also given up their old ways of life. This means there has been a conversion, but secretively, so that the advantage of reservation also continues,” he said.
“Even Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar had said those who had accepted Christianity or Islam cannot be considered as those belonging to scheduled castes,” said Parande.
The VHP is also looking forward to increase its rank and file with a special drive to enrol members has been planned from November 6 to 20. “At present, the VHP has 34 lakh members and it is expected to take the number to one crore. Focus will be on 150 villages where VHP members will be directly contacting people and explaining the objectives. Only Hindus will be taken as members,” he said.
Also, around 40 lakh youths are targeted for being roped into Bajrang Dal. A special portal has been started through which interested candidates can join Bajrang Dal. The final membership will happen only after personally meeting the person, he said.
The youngsters will be trained in social work and other jobs like prevention of cow slaughter and love jihad to protect the Hindu culture. All activities are be undertaken within the purview of law, said Parande.
The teams will also work against religious conversions. Because of efforts by the VHP, there are laws against conversions in 6 to 7 states, he added.