‘Stop Hindu Fascism’: Church slams RSS-linked publication over conversion claims

Thiruvananthpuram: The Syro-Malabar Church has strongly responded to a recent article in the RSS-affiliated Malayalam publication Kesari, which alleged secret religious conversions following the arrest of nuns in Chhattisgarh on Wednesday.

In a Facebook post featuring the image “Stop Hindu Fascism,” the Church stated that the Kesari article is “full of falsehoods and historical distortions” and accused it of being deliberately crafted to incite division, distrust, and disharmony between communities.

The Church further asserted that Kesari continues to justify the ideological positions of the RSS, showing disregard for the potential impact on communal harmony.

"Kesari, the mouthpiece of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in Kerala, continues its role of justifying and whitewashing the ideological positions of the RSS, regardless of the impact on communal harmony or truth. The recent article, steeped in falsehoods and historical distortions, appears deliberately crafted to incite division, distrust, and disharmony between communities, especially targeting Christians in India," said the Syro Malabar church.

The church also claimed that with growing attacks on Christian gatherings, churches, and prayer meetings, India's secularism is under siege.

"The growing restrictions on Christian gatherings, churches, and prayer meetings, not to mention the violence against pastors and lay believers, send a clear message to the world: India's constitutional secularism is under siege," it added.

The church further said that if Hindu spiritual leaders and gurus can freely propagate their teachings, establish temples, and receive donations, then why should the minorities be denied these rights?

"If Hindu spiritual leaders and gurus can freely propagate their teachings, establish temples, and receive foreign donations in Western countries, on what ethical or legal grounds can Christians or any other religious group be denied similar freedoms in India? Are we to believe in one set of rights for the majority and another for the minorities?" argued the church.

Earlier, Kesari Weekly published an article that talked about the religious conversion that came into light in Chhattisgarh after two nuns were arrested for forced conversion in July. In that article, Kesari claimed that the church is calling for the stay of the anti-conversion law prevalent in 11 states of India. The article further claimed that the church is attempting to create enmity among different religious communities.

Additionally, the article further argues that if an individual converts to the influence of missionaries, they become hostile toward their former religion and are perceived as traitors to the country.