Vatican’s representative to India Leopoldo Girelli was greeted with protests from Dalit and Sikh organizations during his three-day visit. The protestors feared that Girelli’s visit was aimed at converting vulnerable groups to Christianity.
Quoting the Diocesan Pastoral Council Times Now report on the issue noted:
The Diocesan Pastoral Council although, has dispelled the fears and said that the protesting groups were misinformed and there was no truth to the “rumor” of conversion programs to be conducted during Girelli’s three-day visit.
The Council further said that the archbishop simply went for a religious preaching session and it was a norm across the world. The Catholic group also said that the leaders of various religions go for religious preachings across the world and it was nothing out of the ordinary.
Over the past few years, Punjab has witnessed several such protests, particularly by Hindu and a few Sikh organizations. These organizations have accused missionaries of luring people to Christianity. They have also accused the missionaries of making false claims during their sessions.
The protesting organizations said that dubious claims such as persons joining them being free of all financial and health problems. They alleged that conversion programs appropriated religious practices of other religions. Punjab is in the grip of Christian proselytization and conversions are on the rise in the northern state.
Majority of the folks who are converting are Hindu Balmikis and other low caste Hindus, there are very few Sikh Majahbis who have converted. In Punjab Hindus too wear pagris turban and these missionaries playing fake healing games show them to lure other folks into conversion. Most affected are Hindus so Hindus should come forward to save their folks from conversion, state should pass anti conversion law that’s the first step to stop this fake healing madness. These healers are jokers, act weirdly having their own trained folks on stage, they should be nominated during film fare awards.