Not only RSS, Mahatma Gandhi too have opposed conversion : Dattatreya Hosabale

Dharwad: RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale on Saturday said that not only the RSS but also Mahatma Gandhi and others have opposed the conversion. He was speaking to the media in a press conference held at Karanataka's Dharwad after the three-day Akhil Bharatiya Karyakari Mandal (ABKM) meeting of the Sangh.

Hosabale said that RSS will welcome if any anti-conversion bill is passed. He also said that religious conversion should stop and those who change their faith should announce it.

There are people who get converted and do not disclose that they have converted. They take double benefits," the RSS general secretary claimed.

Replying to a query on the RSS's stand on anti-conversion law, Hosabale said that it is an open secret why the minorities are opposing. He also said that it is not acceptable for RSS to increase the number by fraudulent or other such methods

According to him, there are more than 10 States which have passed an anti-conversion bill in the country.

"In Himachal Pradesh, the Congress government passed a resolution. Virbhadra Singh was the Chief Minister and he passed the anti-conversion bill.

In Arunachal Pradesh, it was the Congress government who did it (passed anti-conversion bill). Gegong Apang was the Chief Minister," Hosabale claimed.

The RSS functionary said there always is freedom for anyone to change the religion, "but what is happening today is not that."

He said former Prime Minister late Atal Bihari Vajpayee had given a call for a national debate on this issue