Lingayat’s plans for ‘Ghar Wapsi’ are likely to cause controversy

Bengaluru : Nov 22, 2012 - The Veerashaiva–Lingayat Mahasabha, a powerful representative of the Lingayat Community in Karnataka, is initiating a "ghar wapsi" programme to help converts and change their religions back to the Veerashaiva–Lingayat fold.

These directions were issued to help organise the reconversion programs with local maths.The final plan is to be drawn up in the December 23rd meeting.

This controversial move will cause a lot of controversy as it touches on the highly sensitive issue of religious conversion.Basavaraj Bommai, the chief minister of the state has announced that an anti-conversion law will be enacted.

It is expected that the bill will be presented to the Assembly during the Winter Session.The Veerashaiva–Lingayat community is represented by 56 of the MLAs at the current assembly.

According to state statistics, the community makes up 17% of the states total population.However, the Mahasabha says that the actual population is 24%.According to leaked statistics, however, 10 percent of the states population was estimated by the caste census taken during Siddaramaiahs tenure.Leaked data caused a great deal of controversy in the state and the commission disowned them.

According to the Mahasabha, Veerashaiva Lingayats in lower strata are being converted.Conversions are being made in Lingayat heartslands like Davangere and Dharwad by Christian missionaries.

Also, conversions are taking place in Mysurus southern districts of Chamarajanagar and Mysuru.It is estimated that more than one lakh Veerashaiva-Lingayats have converted to Christianity in the recent past.

Through the program, The Mahasabha aims to bring these people back into its fold.Progressive thinkers and the Christian community have already strongly reacted to governments move to bring legislation to prevent forceful conversions.They are likely to protest even more.

It is likely that the process of finding converted people and returning them to their homes will cause a lot of controversy.According to political analysts, the decision will be a huge benefit for the government and the Lingayat partys support base.

The party will be able to overcome the shame it has suffered from the harsh attacks by Congress on the Bitcoin scandal.mka/b #Lingayats #plans #Ghar #Wapsi #controversy.