In a first-of-its-kind decision, the Vishav Hindu Parishad (VHP) is set to hold a function in a temple on Thursday to bring back Christian families into the Sikh fold, under what it calls the 'Ghar Vapsi' programme.
The Dharam Jagran Manch also organised such a 'Ghar Wapsi' event for Christian families to bring back them into the Sikh fold on Tuesday; however, that function was held in a gurdwara in Guru Ki Wadali town near Amritsar.
The VHP will perform the 'purification' according to Hindu rituals at the Satya Narayan Mandir here to 'reconvert' Christians into Sikhs.
A 'hawankund' is already ready for the function. VHP leaders were busy making preparations for the same on Wednesday evening.
"We have a list of nearly 100 families. About 80 of them will convert as Sikhs and 20 as Hindus," claimed Sukhpal Sran, district VHP president, who also wears a turban.
"Most of the families are from the scheduled caste Mazhabi Sikh community. These families were allegedly lured into Christianity on the pretext of sending them abroad. There are many Jatt families which were converted into Christianity in the Malwa area, as they were promised NRI status," said Sran.
When asked, if the conversion into Sikhism in a temple may create a problem, he said, "What is the problem in it? There would be no problem. Temple is a very sacred place and there should be no problem with converting them back into the Sikhs in a temple. We will also present them siropas after their reconversion," said Sran.
{{/usCountry}}When asked, if the conversion into Sikhism in a temple may create a problem, he said, "What is the problem in it? There would be no problem. Temple is a very sacred place and there should be no problem with converting them back into the Sikhs in a temple. We will also present them siropas after their reconversion," said Sran.
{{/usCountry}}The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has already been objecting to such 'Ghar Wapsi' events, but this particular reconversion method can create more political and ideological complications for the SAD with BJP as an alliance partner.
Interestingly, there is no defined ritual in Sikhism for conversion and such functions may also amount to challenging the authority of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on Sikh affairs.
"The aim is to create tension between the Sikhs and the Christians. They (VHP) are supposed to convert people into Hinduism. But, they are involving Sikhs as well. Their only intention is to disturb peace and harmony between the Sikhs and the Christians. They have no other intentions," said Jorge, Father at the Railways Church, Bathinda.
He said, "We have been watching the developments closely and will take action accordingly."