The Chengannur unit of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) in Alappuzha has claimed to have converted 30 Christians, belonging to eight families, to Hinduism at a ceremony held early on Sunday.
VHP Chengannur unit president Prathap G. Padikkal said the ceremony marked the launch of the GharVapsi programme of the organisation in the State.
“The families of the Pentecostal Christians who were converted, had come forward voluntarily for the ceremony. They were not forcibly converted or duped as their ancestors had been many years ago,” he said. Mr. Padikkal said they had not been given any assurance of financial assistance or any other inducement.
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The families are not traceable. Local VHP organisers said they had been moved to another location.
The event took place at a family temple at Kanichanallor in Cheppad, near Haripad, Mr. Padikkal said.
The unpublicised ceremony began at 5.30 a.m. and lasted five hours.
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The Chengannur unit of the VHP had identified 150 other families interested in conversion to Hinduism, and Ghar Vapsi would be undertaken in other parts of the State as well in the coming days, Mr. Padikkal said.