SUNDARGARH: As many as 3,127 persons on Thursday returned to the Hindu fold in a ‘home coming’ ceremony of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) held in Sundargarh town. VHP leader Pravin Togadia attending the ceremony.
Addressing a public meeting here, the VHP leader demanded enactment of a rigorous law with provision of capital punishment against those indulging in religious conversion by way of deceit or intimidation.
Togadia said Hindu religion preaches tolerance and selfless service but religious conversion of gullible Hindus was creating social and religious divides.
Taking a dig at the black money stashed abroad, he said it was unfortunate that a sizeable poor population continued to starve and their children go without education. He appealed to everyone to donate ` 10 to fight poverty.
Togadia also flayed the move for allowing sub-quota reservation for the Muslims. VHP sources said those who returned to the Hindu fold hailed from 100 villages across Odisha, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh. They came in an impressive procession from the Bhojpur Kalyan Ashram to the venue and underwent religious purification.
Among others, VHP leaders Basant Rath and Jiban Mukudanand and Bajrang Dal president Subash Chouhan were present.