Mumbai, Feb 25 (IANS) The Shiv Sena has patted Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat for his remarks on Nobel laureate Mother Teresa terming them as a "national service" here Wednesday.
"What is wrong - Whatever he has said is the grim truth as 'conversions' is the main business of Christian missionaries in India and around the world since centuries," the party mouthpiece Saamana said in an edit.
It cited the examples of the northeastern states, the tribal areas of Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh where it said conversions took place in the name of "service" and luring the people with food, clothes and money.
"Since Hindu religion does not provide for the basics, become a servant of the messiah, Jesus and you can get rewards... Missionaries converted people to Christianity in the name of service and money," the Shiv Sena said.
Comparing it with Islam, the Shiv Sena said even Muslims carried out conversions with the threat of the sword and became notorious, unlike the Christian missionaries.
"Nobody can stop voluntary conversions, but if they are carried out in the garb of service, it is misuse of the word 'service' itself," it added.
When Hindutva forces spoke of 'ghar wapasi' to wean the converts back to the Hindu fold, a nationwide controversy erupted among the secularists, who kept quiet only after the government spoke of enacting a bill to stop conversions, it argued.
While acknowledging its highest regard for Mother Teresa and her lifelong selfless service to humanity, the Shiv Sena said there are other big names like Baba Amte, his son Prakash Amte, Abhay Bang and Rani Bang, earlier Sant Gadge Maharaj, all of whom rendered similar services to the country without indulging in conversions.
"In such an atmosphere, by speaking on this issue Bhagwat has done a national service... We congratulate him. He has formalized what the Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray had spoken for long...," the edit added.
Addressing a function in Bharatpur in Rajasthan Monday, Bhagwat had said Mother Teresa's service to the poor was aimed at converting them to Christianity.
"People like Mother Teresa did good work and service. But the aim was to convert the poor to Christianity. This kind of service is devalued if conversions are done in the name of service or work," he had said.
The main factions of the United Kisan Morcha, BKU Ugrahan, Krantikari Kisan Union, and BKU Dakaun
Workshop on regulatory impact assessment to cut red tape
New Delhi, March 26 (IANS) In a first of its kind in India, consumer protection society CUTS In
Twitter's new owner Elon Musk is claiming free speech on this platform. After which many people a
Bollywood actress Shraddha Kapoor's brother has been taken into custody by the police in Bangalor
Now few days are left for IPL 2023 to start. Even before this, the team of Royal Challengers Bang
England beat India by 4 wickets in the 15th match of the Women's World Cup. England had a target
The winter session of Parliament began on Wednesday, 7 December. This session is going to last fo
Rahul Gandhi is on a UK tour these days. During this, the Congress leader has given a speech at C
Rail budget get a thumbs up from passengers
New Delhi, Feb 26 (IANS) Introduction of faster trains, free wi-fi, cameras for women safety an
Raghav-Parineeti Reception Card: Seeing the photos and videos of the royal wedding of Raghav Chad