Shiv Sena has termed as an 'awakening', the mass conversions that have rocked Parliament.
The Shiv Sena has hit out at criticism of religious conversions in a strongly-worded editorial in its mouthpiece Saamna, at a time its ally, the ruling BJP, has been confronting opposition anger in Parliament.
"Till yesterday, Hindus were being converted and no one said these were forced conversions then. Today when the water is flowing in the opposite direction, people have started raising their voice against it," the Sena editorial said.
"What will the secularists say on the conversions of Hindus? Hindus are awakening and nobody can stop it," it added.
The BJP has been targeted by a united opposition over conversions in Agra and other cities, allegedly by groups linked to the party's ideological mentor Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh or RSS.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has warned his party men against controversial statements that are seen to have hurt the image of the government and the party. As comments by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat calling India a "Hindu nation" fueled more anger in Parliament, the BJP reasserted today that the government has no role in conversions.
Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut told reporters, "The religion conversions were not forceful. We are true Hindus. The Modi government should not have any problem with what we are doing. Controversy was not created by Shiv Sena. After many years, government of Hindu ideology has come to power."
While the Sena backed conversions, it was more circumspect on the question of the controversy hurting the Modi government.
Its editorial said, "Are the statements being made with the support of the Modi government? People have doubts about that. Can this debate hurt the Modi government? Modi has already asked people not to speak on it. Yet people doubt if it is being done with the support of the Modi govt."