M Selvan, who was among 17 people in Kottayam who were part of a 'ghar wapsi' ceremony organised by the VHP
For 14 years of his life, 30-year-old M Selvan was known by the name Paul Joseph. On his conversion to Christianity 16 years ago, he was asked to change his name. His mother and his wife who converted along with him, had followed suit.
Active in several pentecostal churches in Kottayam for years, they say they converted to Christianity because they were promised a better life and means of livelihood.
But having got nothing, Mr Selvan and his family are now among the 17 people in Kottayam district who the Vishwa Hindu Parishad or VHP claims to have 're-converted' to Hinduism in a 'ghar-wapsi' (homecoming) ceremony organised by them.
They now want to be known by their original names, a requirement for 'ghar vapsi'.
Mr Selvan says, "VHP helped us to return to Hinduism. We approached them one year back. We became Christians because of our financial constraints, addictions and assurances given by pastors."
The VHP in Kerala has claimed that it merely facilitated the voluntary 're-conversion' of nearly 80 people to Hinduism.
Though 'ghar vapsi' has always been part of their campaigns, the VHP is attributing the increasing intensity of programmes to their golden-jubilee celebrations, inviting strong criticism from other religious groups.
KS Ommanakuttan, a VHP functionary, says,"We have understood that there are deliberate attempts to create chaos/fear by some sections. VHP has been indulging in re-conversions since years and it is voluntary. We only facilitate it for those who approach us."
Father Paul Thelakkat, the spokesperson of Syro-Malabar Church, hit out at VHP saying, "Their objective is neither religion, nor spirituality, nor upliftment of the poor but simply to create tensions in the community on the basis of religion so that there is a polarisation of Hindu votes in order to gain political power."
With Kerala gearing up for its local body elections in 2015, the issue of religious conversion has raised concerns in a political arena which has for years seen a direct fight between the Congress-led UDF and the CPI(M)-led LDF.
While Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has ruled out the use of force in the recent spate of VHP-sponsored conversions, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said, "No one has complained about these conversions being forceful. We will intervene if we get a complaint."
In Parliament, lawmakers from the CPI(M) and Congress in Kerala raised the issue more than once.
A Sampath, member of Parliament, CPI(M) said, "My understanding is the experiment that they have conducted though has been somewhat successful in few states, but will be utter failure in Kerala. I condemn this."
In the backdrop of the debate around conversions, leaders across political parties in the state are watching with a cautious silence since the issue carries potential political undercurrents leading right up to the 2016 Assembly elections.