Songadh (Gujarat) [India], March 15: Renowned spiritual leader and Ram Katha exponent, Morari Bapu, has voiced his concerns regarding religious conversions. Addressing the gathering during his ongoing Katha in Songadh in Tapi district on Wednesday, he urged followers to remain steadfast in the Sanatan Dharma and expressed his disapproval of deceptive conversion practices.
Morari Bapu said, “We have spoken extensively about other religions, but why have we forgotten our own? The essence of our identity lies in Sanatan Dharma, and without it, everything else remains incomplete.”
He was speaking about news reports of religious conversions occurring in certain villages and criticised the methods employed to influence individuals, particularly children, through misleading narratives. Highlighting an example from Banswara, Rajasthan, Morari Bapu cited a report about an entire village being subjected to conversion efforts.
He noted, “Jesus never engaged in such acts. He was a man of innocence and compassion. However, over time, practices emerged that led to misleading propaganda.”
He described incidents where children were allegedly taught to compare religious symbols in a way that undermined their faith, reinforcing the need to educate and strengthen their spiritual roots.
Morari Bapu also spoke about an instance where a community reclaimed its Sanatan roots, transforming a church into a temple and reinstating a priest in place of a pastor. However, he emphasised that his intention was not to create division but to awaken the Hindu community to the importance of preserving its traditions and faith.
“We are not here to oppose or break anyone. We are here to reignite what has been forgotten. True service is about uplifting those in need, not about creating divisions in the name of faith,” he remarked.
Morari Bapu also expressed concern over incidents of religious and social pressure and mentioned a video showing a young Hindu devotee being assaulted while trying to protect a temple. He also shared accounts from women who claimed they faced resistance for maintaining their faith within their own communities. Morari Bapu urged legal and social avenues to address such issues, questioning the silence of local leaders and authorities.
He reiterated that his platform is one of awakening rather than opposition.
“Sanatan Dharma stands on the values of truth, compassion and service. My appeal is for our community to recognise its heritage and serve its faith with dedication, rather than being misled by external influences,” he said.
The ongoing Ram Katha in Songadh, which is Morari Bapu’s 953rd Katha, continues to attract thousands of devotees from across the country and abroad.
