Press Trust of India
Rourkela, November 8: Fifty-eight people, said to be Christians, returned to Hinduism at Dharanidharpur village in Orissa's Sundargarh district today, VHP sources said.
They included 31 men and 27 women belonging to 12 families, Gadadhar Sahu, secretary of the VHP's dharma prasar wing said.
The men and women, all tribals, were provided with new clothes and lockets carrying images of different Hindu gods and goddesses on the occasion, he said.
Asked as to whether the VHP had sought the permission of the district administration in this connection as required under the provisions of the Orissa Freedom of Religion Act (OFRA), he said as it was not reconversion, no permission was needed.
Those who were brought back to the Hindu fold had embraced Christianity a few years ago, but they were following Hindu rituals for the last two years, he said.
Senior police officers at Banai, a sub-divisional headquarter, confirmed that the programme had taken place but there was no law and order problem.
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Rourkela, November 8: Fifty-eight people, said to be Christians, returned to Hinduism at Dharanidharpur village in Orissa's Sundargarh district today, VHP sources said.
They included 31 men and 27 women belonging to 12 families, Gadadhar Sahu, secretary of the VHP's dharma prasar wing said.
The men and women, all tribals, were provided with new clothes and lockets carrying images of different Hindu gods and goddesses on the occasion, he said.
Asked as to whether the VHP had sought the permission of the district administration in this connection as required under the provisions of the Orissa Freedom of Religion Act (OFRA), he said as it was not reconversion, no permission was needed.
Those who were brought back to the Hindu fold had embraced Christianity a few years ago, but they were following Hindu rituals for the last two years, he said.
Senior police officers at Banai, a sub-divisional headquarter, confirmed that the programme had taken place but there was no law and order problem.
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