Seer's concern over conversion-related activities in AP,TN,Ker

BANGALORE: Udupi-based Pejawar Mutt head and a prominent Hindu seer Vishweshwa Thirtha Swamiji on Monday expressed concern over alleged religious conversion from Hinduism in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
    
"Conversion-related activities were more now than even during the British rule and there are both economic and social reasons for conversion, apart from inducements," he told reporters here.
    
The swamiji said "left wing intellectuals were also subjecting Hinduism to attacks by their negative portrayal of certain issues which acted as an instigation".
    
He welcomed a recent ordinance issued by Andhra Pradesh government to protect Tirupati as the Hindu piligrim centre "so as not to give any room for activities for conversion of Hindus to Christianity".
    
The seer, who spearheaded the agitation to stop alleged conversion activities in Tirupati, said the local people had been told to be alert and inform the officials in case any attempts were made for conversion.
    
He also announced that a trust floated by the Udupi-based Pejawar mutt would start students hostels where 33 per cent would be earmarked for Dalits, 33 per cent for backward classes and the rest for others.

The first such hostel would be opened in Udupi to be followed by Mysore and Mangalore. Free food and accommodation would be provided at the hostels for which government had also promised help.