Shock over conversions

The Parsi Zoroastrian community is not the only one confronting the ticklish subject of conversions. Ulhasnagar, a business township full of small scale industries and traders, situated to the northeast of Bombay and populated mainly by members of the Sindhi community, many of whom had come in as refugees from Pakistan after partition of the country, is facing a problem which is causing a schism there. Daily News and Analysis (DNA) reported on February 24, 2010 that many of the residents of Ulhasnagar have embraced Christianity. This has sent shock waves among the community’s elders. Emotionally scarred by partition, they are known to be staunch followers of Hinduism.

A number of Sindhis who have drifted away are in their 40s and had formerly been devout Hindus. During the past two years around 7,000 Sindhis have changed their faith, as per a rough count, DNA reports. Sindhi-speaking Hindus are contemplating a social boycott of the new Christians. The latter, many of whom have not changed their Hindu names, do not term this as "conversion” but as merely a change of faith. This has not gone down well with the All India Sindhi Samaj whose general secretary, Sai Balram, told DNA: "We are not against any religion but if they do not believe in Hinduism and are drawn closer to Christianity, they should adopt Christian names.” The Samaj, a prominent organization of the community, has called a meet of their saints in July. "In that meeting, we will take a decision to boycott the converted Sindhis socially if they do not change their names,” Balram said.

Hindu leaders blame this trend on global recession. "Since the Christian missionaries helped the small businessmen rebuild their businesses... there has been a wave of conversions.” This was strongly refuted by resident Ram Budhwani who follows Christianity. "I started visiting the chapel to get peace of mind. I lost my wife in an accident two years ago. I became an alcoholic. I suffered heavy losses in my business and had to close down my shop. But since I am visiting the prayer house (known as Prarthana Ghar in Ulhasnagar) I am making progress in my business. I set up my shop again and am doing well. I have changed my faith, not the religion,” he explains.

Older members of the community feel betrayed by people like Budhwani. "Sindhis are known for their loyalty to Hinduism. We preferred to leave our places (in Pakistan) during the partition but refused to convert to Islam... We are confused (about) how to face the situation.”

Two days later, on February 26, DNA reported that a number of influential Sindhis decided to start a shuddhikaran (purification) movement for those who have stopped following the Hindu traditions. The Bharatiya Sindhi Samaj, the largest non-religious organization of the community in India met on February 24 and "unanimously decided to provide psychological and monetary help to those who have changed their faith,” according to president Pradeep Bhavanani. "We Hindus are very liberal,” he added. "Anyone can have faith in any other religion. But if someone has stopped visiting temples, we will convince him not to do so in a polite and constructive manner. Shuddhikaran does not mean application of force, but it will be a process of dialog... We feel that there is a need for introspection as to why some among us have changed their faith,” Bhavanani told DNA.