'Conversion activities in Bihar and Jharkhand reach alarming proportions'

People who identify themselves as members of the tribal and backward communities, are accepting Christianity.

- ABHINANDAN MISHRA

Reports reaching functionaries of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) state that conversion is taking place at alarming levels in the two states of Bihar and Jharkhand.

As per the 2011 census, the Christian population in Bihar is stated to be 1.29 lakhs (0.12%) of the total 10.41 Crore.

However, this number, RSS functionaries claim, is likely to show a significant increase once the findings of the census, which will begin in some time, are released.

As per the discussions that these Delhi-based functionaries had with their counterparts from Bihar, conversion in that state has become pronounced in the last few years, where people, who identify themselves as members of the tribal and backward communities.

Social experts and studies have shown that poverty is one of the primary reasons that pushes people from one faith to convert into followers of another religion in lieu of promises of a better living condition and recognition.