‘Not Christians, but anti-national': CBCI slams RSS chief for attributing this to Pranab Mukherjee

The Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI), the apex body representing Catholics in the country, criticized RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat for claiming that former President Pranab Mukherjee was against religious conversions, particularly among tribal communities, thereby likely implying his support for the RSS’s 'ghar wapsi' initiative.

Bhagwat, speaking at an event in Indore, recounted an interaction with Mukherjee during his tenure as President. He suggested that Mukherjee had made comments regarding the contentious issue of 'ghar wapsi'—a term used by the Sangh Parivar to describe efforts to convert individuals to Hinduism from other religions.

“"When I met Dr. Pranab Mukherjee for the first time, he was the President. At that time, there was a lot of uproar in Parliament over the 'ghar wapsi' issue. I expected he would ask me numerous questions, so I came prepared to answer them. However, he simply said, 'You brought some people back and held a press conference. Why are you doing it this way? It’s causing a commotion. This is politics. If I were in Congress, not as President, I would be doing the same in Parliament.' Then he mentioned, 'The work you've done has affected around 30% of tribals.' I could tell from his tone what he was implying, and I felt pleased. I asked, 'Would they have become Christians?' He replied, 'Not Christians, but anti-national.' That’s what he said," Bhagwat had said at the event.

The CBCI, however, has expressed scepticism about the authenticity of this narrative, labelling it as a fabricated account aimed at serving the interests of an organization with a controversial history.

The CBCI's statement, reported by The Telegraph, emphasized the gravity of attributing such a conversation to a former President, particularly when published posthumously. They highlighted concerns about the motives behind bringing up such a discussion now, pointing to the timing and context as suggestive of ulterior motives.

The statement questioned why Bhagwat chose to reveal this conversation only after Mukherjee's passing, implying that the intent might be to manipulate public perception or serve a divisive agenda.

Central to the controversy is the Sangh Parivar's 'ghar wapsi' initiative, which has been criticized for its approach to religious conversions, particularly targeting economically disadvantaged tribal communities. The CBCI's response underscored the importance of the constitutional right to freedom of conscience, asserting that the 'ghar wapsi' program infringes upon this fundamental right. They argued that labelling tribal and other vulnerable groups as anti-national for exercising their religious freedom is both unjust and indicative of a broader, malicious agenda.

The issue of religious conversions has long been a point of contention in India, with various organizations and political groups taking opposing stances. The CBCI's criticism extends to the historical context of the RSS, referencing its involvement in episodes of violence and its contentious position in India's socio-political landscape. They expressed concern over the RSS's characterization of the Christian community as anti-national, framing it as an attack on a peace-loving and service-oriented group.

The CBCI also pointed to Mukherjee's previous engagements with the RSS, notably his attendance at the organization's 2018 Vijaya Dashami event, which had sparked widespread debate. Mukherjee's speeches during these events emphasized the pluralistic and secular ethos of India, which the CBCI cited as evidence of his commitment to these values.