Author: Pioneer News Service
Publication: The Pioneer
Date: January 13, 2008
Appearing before the team of National Human
Rights Commission (NHRC) on Friday, Swami Lakshmanananda Saraswati said that
not a single person was converted to Christianity out of his choice. "They
always adopt a means of allurement and fear to force and persuade innocent people
to change religion," he said, adding that he was prepared for an open debate
on this issue with any one. Saraswati appeared before the Commission to record
his statement. He further said conversion was going on rampantly in tribal areas.
He further alleged that there has been large
scale forgery of tribal certificates. "Most of the converted Christians
forged Kui tribal certificates to get jobs," he said, adding that an inquiry
could only expose the rackets behind it.
He further said foreign funds also were diverted
for the cause of conversion. "A mechanism should be evolved to regulate
flow of foreign funds to NGOs," he demanded.
Asked why he did not return to his Chakapada
Ashram in Kandhamal, he said as tension continued he preferred not to go the
Ashram at this point. "If I return the miscreants who want to create disturbances
will take mileage out of it. Later, they will try to squarely blame me,"
he said.
He demanded that an inquiry should be ordered
to find out who were behind the attack on him. "I have been attacked nearly
eight times. But no one has yet been arrested," said an emotionally-charged
Lakshmanananda.
Later, a delegation led by general secretary
of BJP Vinay Katiyar met the Swamiji and held a detailed discussion with him
on the Kandhamal turmoil. Speaking to reporters, Katiyar said the attack on
the Swamiji should be condemned. "I would raise this issue on the floor
of the Parliament," he said, adding that Congress MP RK Nayak should be
squarely blamed for all this. "He has been involved in conversion activities,"
Katiyar alleged, adding that action should initiated against him. SP of NHRC
Mukesh Singh said he has already recorded the statements of 20 people. "The
team will submit the final report within 15 days," he said.
