the goan I network
MARGAO
Calling for a stop to conversions by inducements, BJP MP and economist Dr Subramaniam Swamy on Sunday said Indian Christians are not to be blamed for conversions, saying that conversions to Christianity by way of inducements come from abroad, through NGOs and foreign missionaries.
Dr Swamy also called for a comprehensive ban on cow slaughter in the country, saying that banning cow slaughter is enshrined in the Directive Principles of State policy in the Constitution.
He was answering a host of questions, ranging from a question whether Muslims and Christian really pose a threat to 80 per cent Hindus in India and whether he favours a ban on cow slaughter and whether the present education system will take India to greater heights in the 21st century.
“Christian population in the country is not increasing because there’s no growth. They are modern and educated. They can be compared to the educated Hindus, who prefer to restrict their families and give priority for the education of their children’, he said.
Dr Swamy, however, said that Christian population can potentially increase by conversions by way of inducements. “The Indian Christians are not responsible for conversions. The inducements come from abroad and that has to stop. If an individual wants to convert, no one can stop him because the Indian Constitution provides for that. But, conversions via inducements by the foreign missionaries and NGOs should be stopped”, he added.
He, however, attributed the rising Muslim population to both infiltration and the high growth rate due to poor conditions in the community. “India is not a Dharmashala, where anyone can come here and settle. They talk of the Rohingyas. Is it not a fact that the Rohingyas had supported Mohammed Ali Jinnah and wanted to be part of Pakistan”, he added.
On cow slaughter, the BJP MP favoured a comprehensive ban on cow slaughter as per the Directive Principles of state policy. “Is it not a fact that cow’s importance is now even growing in the west. The cow is sacred. Even killing of peacocks is banned”, he added.
On the present education system, Dr Swamy stressed on innovations in the education curriculum to take the country forward in the 21st century.
On government takeover of temples, Dr Swamy said that around 4.5 lakh temples have been taken over by the government, adding the Supreme Court has clearly ruled that government take over of temples could be only temporary.
Asked how much growth could India achieve if Dr Swamy was the country’s Finance Minister, he shot back saying, “nothing less than 10 per cent and I would have abolished Income tax”.
Earlier, delivering a talk on “Indian Cultural Heritage and its importance” organised by the Annaporni Aiyar Charitable Trust at the Maruti Aiyar Shri Ganpati and Murugam Mandir, Rawanfond, Dr Swami said men and women should be treated on an equal footing. “We should understand that marriage is a partnership of two equals. In India, we have several instances of women warriors who fought gallantly against the foreign rulers”, he said.
Saying that India is on the edge of becoming a global power, Dr Swamy said it is no use becoming a global power unless citizens of the country are made aware of their cultural past and traditions and shape their minds for the knowledge of the future.
Mulling a cultural renaissance in the country, Dr Swamy said he is not against Christians and Muslim joining the Hindus for this cultural revolution provided they accept one fact, which has been genetically proved to be true that their ancestors were Hindus. “It is now accepted that Indians have a common DNA, whether he is a Hindu, Christian, Muslim, Brahmin or a scheduled caste. Their DNA is the same”, he added.
