Community leaders say they will go for a purification process.
A number of influential Sindhi personalities have come forward to restrain the ongoing trend of conversion among fellow community members in Ulhasnagar. They have decided to start a shuddhikaran (purification) movement for those who have stopped following traditions of Hinduism.
The move has come after DNA published a report on Tuesday on the growing attraction towards Christianity among the Sindhis in the township. Among the four lakh Sindhi-speaking Hindus in Ulhasnagar, an estimated 7,000 have changed their faith in the past two years.
“We are going to launch a shuddhikaran movement soon for those who have changed their faith,” said Pradeep Bhavanani, president of Bharatiya Sindhi Samaj, the largest non-religious organisation of the community in India.
The organisation held a meeting at Khar Gymkhana on Wednesday to discuss the issue. “More than 1,000 prominent people from the community were present for the meeting. We unanimously decided to provide psychological and monetary help to those who have changed their faith and stopped following Hindu rituals. Anyone who needs help can contact me,” said Bhavanani.
But at the same time, he clarified that they will not force anyone to follow Hinduism. “We Hindus are very liberal. Anyone can have faith in any other religion. We do not have any objection. But if somebody 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 dialogue,” he said.
Upset with the converted community members not changing their names, the All India Sindhi Samaj had said that the organisation would boycott them. “We have called for a meeting of our saints in July. We will then take a decision to boycott the converted Sindhis socially, if they don’t change their names,” said Sai Balram, general secretary of the organisation.
But Bhavanani informed that Sindhis across the world have expressed their desire to join the Shuddhikaran movement. “Since the report was published, I have been receiving numerous phone calls and text messages not only from across the country, but also from abroad. My friends abroad have shown interest in participating in the movement actively,” he said.
According to Bhavanani, DNA’s report was an eye-opener for the community. “DNA has warned us about a looming crisis. We are thankful to you. We feel that there is a need for introspection as to why some among us have changed their faith,” he said.
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