The experiences bestowed by Kanchi-Mahaswami — Part 27
Religious Right, Religious Conversion
(A humble translation of the original article by Sri S.Gurumurthy, as it had appeared in Thuglak Tamil Magazine) —
https://www.thuglak.com/thuglak/main.php?x=curissue/ninaithu_paarkiraen_05_05_2021.php
In the earlier chapters, we saw how the right to practice religion was embedded as part of the fundamental rights. Unlike the other countries, through religious conferences, public discussions with the help of magazines, we have had elaborate religious rights in our country. But, without such discussions, the religious conversion was sneaked into the constitution under the garb of the religious right. Due to this, conversion became a major issue in the 1950s, all over India. In 1982, this issue reared its ugly head in Tamilnadu. In 1982, there was a huge religious riot at Meenakshipuram. Justice Venugopal concluded that the riot was due to the conversion and recommended abolishing the right to convert. The then CM, MGR had reached out to Kanchi Mahaswami to discuss the conversion issue. The saint who thought deeply about religious rights did not support conversion. In fact, he had opposed it. Being a saint, he did not instigate Hindus to oppose it. But, he was requesting the govt to ban religious conversions. Let me share that experience.
How the “mole” became a “mountain” in the Indian constitution
The religious conversion that was sneaked into the constitution via the back door slowly took the form of religious rights. Therefore, the religions that believed in conversion/proselytization continued to do that in Independent India. It became a huge challenge for Hinduism that believed in the conversion of hearts (and not in numbers). People were converted through different means — by distributing freebies, threats, temptations, cheating, service, etc. Those religions started believing that it is their fundamental right to convert people. In the 1950s, the tribals of Madhya Pradesh were converted in large numbers. Niyogi committee was appointed by the govt and submitted an elaborate report.
As per the committee recommendations, the Congress govt framed laws to stop conversion in MP, Odisha states. The objections raised by the vested interests were rejected by the Supreme court. It further said, ‘ Conversion through cheating, bribe, threat, forgery, etc cannot be a fundamental right’. In addition, ‘ Rights are there to spread religion but not for conversion’. Ugly conversions became an issue in Tamilnadu. Like the Niyogi committee, the Justice Venugopal commission had also recommended a ban on conversion. This generation is not aware of that. Let me take this opportunity to share with them.
I acted as an emissary between the saint & MGR
In 1982 at Mandaikadu in Kanyakumari district, the women who were worshipping the Bhagwati Devi temple were attacked and led to a riot. Police shooting had taken place. Chief Minister MGR had appointed Justice Venugopal to investigate that. One of the main reasons for the riot was the uncontrolled conversions. The commission had recommended its ban and gave a draft of the law. Justice Venugopal was not a Hindu thinker. He was a follower of EVR Periyar and wrote a book called ‘The five-pronged battle of Periyar for an egalitarian society’. Therefore, a follower of Periyaar had recommended a ban on conversion (http://dravidianbookhouse.com/image/catalog/catalogue/PSRPI_BOOK_LIST_CATALOGUE.pdf )
Who did MGR consult about the recommendation? He met with the Kanchi Saint, who was diametrically opposite to Periyar’s views. I was the first one to know about it. How? The Saint had asked me to prepare an elaborate note on this subject after studying the research papers about conversion and the need for an anti-conversion law. He had asked me to bring both the Niyogi committee & Venugopal commission reports. When the experienced lawyers were waiting for his call, why did he assign the job to a 32 years old man? In fact, this question never arose in my mind at that time. But, later, I got the answer; That role was a preparation for me to work on those lines in the future. It was a great experience. It was given to him at 9 pm one night and he continued to read it until 3 am the next day morning. I had some goose-bump experiences. Before that, Let me share the background further.
Kanchi Mahaswami’s view on religious conversion
As mentioned before, he worked for the benefit of all religions and denominations. Because of his efforts, the Abrahamic religions got more religious rights than that they had in the countries, where they are in majority. The broad-hearted Saint did not accept conversion. He was clear that the conversion had a materialistic motive and not due to a change of heart. His ideas about conversion were consolidated in a book form, later. Let me share some snippets:
“No one is questioning about the religions that convert people either forcibly or through their money power. After doing the social services and help, if they indulge in baptization then people will get attracted towards that. Importantly, Christianity grew during the famine period. When Islam forced people, many converted, not out of their will but by sheer force. This proves that there was no major change due to philosophical attraction. With the help of the government, they kept on claiming to our people that our religion subjugated/enslaved them all the time. If you get converted, we will raise your status and will provide free education & medical treatment. Their style of operation gave an advantage to them in terms of money that we were lack of.
Then he continued how our masses stayed back, despite the allurement. The main reason is that we have had the arrival of great/noble Saints, who were the backbone of our religion. If we oppose the converting religions that operate with the support of the government then peace will get disturbed. Therefore, let us not oppose, abuse, or run counter-propaganda against them.
He went one step ahead and said, “ They think that their religion is the Truer one; Hence, they convert people through force or by enticing people. They think, only by converting to their religion, people will reach heaven and not otherwise. Let us believe in this noble attitude (Voice of God, Vol 1 p156–58). Hindu dharma can be saved only by the Saints & Sages. Let our people continue to perform more noble acts for their arrival.
Religious Conversion in the garb of Evangelism
In spite, he had advocated for a law against conversion. While preparing the note for him, I was reading the proceedings in the framing of the constitution. I understood that the right to convert people made its entry into the constitution for the wrong reasons.
Two Belgian professors (kent university) researched how the evangelism (right to spread one’s religion) that abetted conversion made its way into the constitution. They published their findings in a paper — Religious freedom and the limits of propagation: Conversion in the constituent assembly of India” (https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/10/3/157). Here is the synopsis: The first draft talks about the right to profess and practice religion (Page 2). A subcommittee added the word “propagate” (Page 3). Maridas Ratthinasamay, a Tamilian was part of the sub-committee. He had argued that both Islam & Christianity believe in proselytization; hence, they should have the right to profess. Belgian professors mentioned that was the sole reason behind the inclusion of religious propagation.
Change of heart and not appearance is important in Indian spirituality; Whereas, it is the other way in the Abrahamic religions. The right to convert was included mainly to appease the minorities (Page 3). Leaders like Ambedkar, K.M.Munshi had the premonition about the negative role of religious conversion and batted against that. But, the other leaders did not agree with that. Because they were motivated to act against the propaganda of the British, “The minorities would not get their due rights in Independent India”. In their desperation to break that image, the leaders over-reacted. The result was to appease the minorities by the constituent assembly.
Effect — From MP till Tamilnadu
As mentioned, this is how the evangelism/to profess to religion made its entry and it was hijacked by the right to convert. Christianity continues to cheat/force the tribals in MP. Hence, the Niyogi committee was constituted. One of the key members was S.K.George, who was a pure Gandhian & Christian. Based on its recommendation, anti-conversion laws were made in MP & Odisha. Based on those laws, the Justice Venugopal commission made its recommendation.
