The Vishwa Hindu Parishad has literally stormed into the Salcete bastion of Fatorda, uttering two words, which are likely to send a shudder and generate heat and anger among all sections- ghar wapsi.
While unlike the rest of the country, Goa’s communities will not draw lines against each other on the issue of the right wing parivar’s attempts at reconverting Christians into the Hindu fold, the VHP’s positioning that Catholics in Goa may be interested in converting back to Hinduism, is mischievous and harmful
In fact both Hindus and Catholics of Goa will react with equal disgust at any such attempts. However the statement of the VHP on the eve of their mega Hindu convention in Fatorda saying that they will welcome any converted Christian to be reconverted to the Hindu fold, is a blatant attempt at polarization.
While the people of Goa will never let their land become a playing field of any communal agenda, the attempt is serious and needs to be watched very carefully and repelled. Notwithstanding Chief Minister Parsekar’s quick response condemning the statement of the VHP of welcoming any desire for reconversion, the role of the BJP, a part of the Sangh Parivar, will be very closely watched. A question must be asked why permission was given to the VHP to host a convention of this nature in Goa, when it was clear that the agenda (irrespective of what the designs are) is not devoid of a communal spin. The ostensible purpose of a massive convention may be altruistic and social, but the tone of the pre-event press conference held in Panjim- (clearly to get state level attention), was far from it.
Read this statement from the VHP functionary, at the press conference. “Thousands of Hindus were converted to Christianity by the Portuguese. If they want to come back and contact VHP, we will welcome them with prem (love), respect, mamta (affection) and samata (equality)”. Thank you but no thank you, dear VHP functionary. We say this with pride and honour, there will not be a single person in Goa who will react to your offer or call, not for anything else, but for the fact that our society is harmonious and people are at peace with themselves. Yes there are differences, arguments, tensions and rivalries but there is absolute communal harmony.
By making statements like this, the VHP is creating more political and social trouble for its parivar partner, the BJP, than anyone in Goa. Ultimately it is the ruling BJP which will have to face the music for utterances like this, because the BJP in Goa- especially in the post Parrikar phase- has alienated itself from the people in minority dominated Salcete- albeit not only for religious reasons. Therefore, reckless statements made by a constituent organisation, the VHP, known for its rabidly communal outlook, will cause more political damage to the BJP, than affect Goa’s communal fabric.
The statements of the VHP underline something else which is far more alarming. The VHP doesn’t really go by or even acknowledge statements and promises made by someone of the stature of the Defense Minister of this country Manohar Parrikar. The former Goa Chief Minister has assured, through a statement that programmes like ghar wapsi would never be allowed in Goa and that people in Goa would not accept it. The VHP almost ridiculed it by insinuating that there are many minorities who are looking at an opportunity to reconvert to Hinduism.
Laxmikant Parsekar and his team should send a warning to the organisers of the sammelan that if they try and impact the people to people harmony in Goa (even though they will fail), strict action, according to law will follow and no permissions will be given to them in the future. His reaction to the VHP’s ghar wapsi support should have been much stronger. It should have been an outright warning that the sammelan would be cancelled if statements like these were repeated during the programme on Sunday.
If Parsekar knows what’s good for him and his party, he should issue such a warning to the VHP on Saturday. For far too long, many in Goa have got the feeling that this government is saying the right things at times to keep all sections happy but doing nothing to prevent its “sister concerns”, attempt to polarize society. The Goa CM needs to correct that immediately. For his and his party’s own common good.
