HIMACHAL, INDIA, March 1, 2007: As many as 151 Dalits who had once converted to Christianity have returned to the Hindu fold after a religious ritual in a temple here. “One hundred and fifty-one Christians have become Hindus again after an elaborate Hindu ceremony carried out in a Shimla temple on Wednesday,” said Tarsem Bharti, chairman of the All India Scheduled Caste and Tribes Association here Thursday. Mahant Suryanath, a priest of the Sanatan Dharma Temple, first washed the feet of each of them and offered them water from the holy Ganges river to drink. Then he welcomed them to the Hindu fold amid reciting of Vedic mantras by Brahmins. “We welcome the children’s return to Hinduism,” said Suryanath. Bharti said: “Many more people want to return to the Hindu fold after they were converted to Christianity as they were induced into it.” In Himachal Pradesh, an anti-conversion law came into effect On Feb 21, banning forcible religious conversions.
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