The Vishwa Hindu Parishad today appealed to Oscar winning composer AR Rahman to re-convert to Hinduism.
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad today appealed to Oscar winning composer AR Rahman to re-convert to Hinduism, saying it was time for his "ghar-wapsi" after the controversy surrounding the film on Prophet Muhammad, which invited a fatwa against him.
"The fatwa against Rahman is very unfortunate and what is more unfortunate is the language of revenge in it.... He composed music for a film not on the basis of any religion... I will appeal to Rahman... he should return, he should do 'ghar-wapsi'. The Hindu society is waiting for its son. We will not only welcome him with open arms but also ensure that no harm is done to him irrespective of how many fatwas are issued," said Surendra Jain, general secretary of the Parishad.
Mr Rahman has composed the music for the film, "Muhammad: Messenger of God", directed by Iranian, Majid Majidi. A Mumbai-based Raza Academy had objected to the film and issued a fatwa, a religious decree, against the noted composer and Mr Majidi, saying that the movie is against Islam.
Defending himself, the double Grammy-winner wrote on his Facebook post, "I didn't direct or produce the film I just did the music. My spiritual experiences of working on the film are very personal and I would prefer not to share these. My decision to compose the music for the film was made in good faith and with no intention of causing offence."
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) is an affiliate of the BJP's ideological mentor, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), which heads the Sangh Parivar, an umbrella of Hindu nationalist organisations.
Ghar-wapsi has been a controversial programme run by certain Hindu groups aimed at converting Muslims and Christians back to Hinduism.