RSS leader in charge of UP religious conversions 'sent' on leave

New Delhi: Rajeshwar Singh, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) pracharak behind the controversial 'ghar wapsi' or conversion programme has quietly gone on leave, with reports indicating he may have been asked to "lie low".

Singh, who is the convenor of the Dharm Jagran Samanway Samiti, has gone on leave saying he wanted to take rest and undergo treatment, the Indian Express reported Friday.

"I will take rest and undergo treatment at the Arsh Gurukul in Etah. My new role will be decided in June after the Sangh Shiksha Varg," he told the newspaper.

The 55-year old Singh also said he has diabetes and other minor ailments.

However, The Economic Times quoted unnamed Sangh Parivar sources as saying that he had been asked to lie low after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with RSS leaders over Singh's recent conversion programmes.

BJP leaders had complained to the RSS that the controversies over conversion was taking the focus off Modi government's development agenda.

As many as 300 Muslims were converted to Hinduism as part of Singh's 'ghar wapsi' programme in Agra. This led to problems for the government with the opposition stalling both houses of Parliament demanding a statement by the prime minister.

Singh was set to expand his activities in western Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand and had even scheduled another 'ghar wapsi' programme in Aligarh when he was dumped by the RSS.

"I don't think I have done anything wrong. Everyone including RSS top leaders had assured me of support earlier," Singh told the Economic Times adding that the RSS may want him back later on.

"The Sangh is not strong all the time. They may not want me now, but they may want me tomorrow," he said.