ZENIT.org - BHUBANESWAR - In statements published by the Indian Catholic agency, SAR News, historian Romila Thapar says that fact that Hindu fundamentalist groups that criticize Catholics for converting their members is rather ironic, when Hindu groups like the RSS and VHP are on a conversion spree, initiating hordes of tribals into the Hindu fold in various parts of India.

Moreover, Thapar explained that the Hindu missionaries who have gone abroad in recent years are not the "best representatives of our civilization. They are not 'alter Sankaracharyas'; they lack the dignity and the stature of an Asian figure like the Dalai Lama. One wishes they would project a better image of their nation."

"While our VHP brethren decry the transparently beneficial Christian services in India, they have no word of criticism about their co-religionists engaging in proselytism in the most degrading manner in the West," Thapar lamented.

Thapar goes on to say that the "maharishis prefer California, Florida, or Switzerland. They take advantage of the disoriented youth of the West and deceive them with what is peripheral and curious in our heritage, and make a fortune at their expense. They offer the experience of levitation for $1,500 and promise nirvana for $100 a day. They assure one of instant salvation; teach mantras, sadhana, etc., and become saffron-robed millionaires."

In a book entitled "A History of India" (Volume I), authors P. Ram and I. Vempeny state that the "conversion work of Hindutva missionaries continues. Acharya [Bagwan Shree] Rajneesh is supposed to have converted hundreds of thousands of Westerners to Hinduism. So did Maharishi Mehesh Yogi, and other sanyasiks, bhagavans, acharyas, saibabas, brahmacharis, and Hare Krishna devotees. Unfortunately, some of them have been meddling with drugs, women, guns, smugglers, big money" and even "public funds." "The trick of being a successful guru is to be an Indian, but surround yourself with an increasing number of non-Indians. If possible, then separate your Indian followers from your Western followers in mutually exclusive camps."

"What are the members of ISKON doing in America? Why are they running 400 centers, temples, ashrams, and farming communities all over the world other than to make conversions?" the authors query.

On September 2, 1999, Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj is quoted in the "Times of India," as saying, "The devotees living in temples were engaged in full-time missionary activities. How is it possible that conversion to Christianity is always wrong, and conversion to Hinduism always right?"