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Ban conversions, stop Tehri
project, says seers group

Prem Panicker in Kumbh Nagar, Allahabad

The Marg Darshak Mandal, the core group meeting of Hindu seers met on Friday and decided to place two resolutions before the Dharam Sansad which will be convening later in the day.

It opposed conversions from any religion and demanded that those born into a faith - regardless of it - should not be allowed to convert to another faith.

And, it opposed the Tehri hydroelectric project for damming the Ganga.

Technically, the 105-strong Marg Darshak Mandal deliberates on various issues that come up before it, and places the same before Dharm Sansad which then ratifies the same - rather in the manner of a general body meeting.

Announcing the decisions to the media, Swami Chinmayanand, who is also convenor of the Ram Janambhoomi Mandir Nirman Samiti set up at the Vishwa Hindu Parishad's Goa conclave, said the MDM felt that in the north-east, and in Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Kerala in particular, there has been a concerted effort by foreign missionaries to convert the local population to other religions.

The MDM felt that forced conversions should be stopped, he said. Asked what he meant by 'forced', Swami Chinmayanand said even taking advantage of a person's needs qualifies as using force.

Asked if the Marg Darshak Mandal proposed passing legislation banning conversions, he said while it did, the issue may come up before the Dharam Sansad which may then see fit to take an appropriate decision in the matter.

Explaining the reason why the MDM decided to oppose the Tehri project, Swami Chinmayanand said the Tehri Hydroelectric Development Corporation has earmarked a 42.5 sq km area which will be filled by the Ganga waters once it is dammed on February 15. What this means is that the main river, Bhagirathi, will be dammed, the feeder streams will continue to flow, which means in holy places such Varanasi, the water in the Ganga will actually from the feeder streams and thus devoid of any sanctity.

Their feelings over this, he said, will be conveyed to the government.

More interestingly, the Mandir Nirman Samiti met on Thursday evening to discuss the construction of the Ram temple at Ayodhya, and is learnt to have made up its mind on the issue. However, the decision will be aired to the public only after it is presented to the Dharam Sansad on Saturday.

The Complete Coverage: The Kumbh Mela

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