For past many days, there is great hubbub in parliament over the issue of forced conversion or conversion by choice. The typical Hindu organizations prefer to term this phenomena as Ghar Vapasi. Conversion is not a recent phenomena in India and such things have been practiced since ages. In the modern era there are many methodologies of conversion. These aspects could be discussed separately. Here the main concern for those who have converted to Hinduism from other religion, like Islam or Christianity, is in which caste they will be accepted within Hindu society. It is well accepted fact in India that there is easier to convert religion than to change caste (jati jo kabhi jati nahi). There has already been done a lot of research works over mobility in caste system. More or less caste system is rigid system and it is revealed that caste identity is not erased even by changing religion. There is widespread untouchability in all the religions of India including Islam and Christianity, which proves this fact. Probably caste stigma is associated with a person in terms of his society and it is true that change of religion has not helped them in providing a new separate society. They have to stay with the same set of people for their livelihood.
The chief of Vishwa Hindu Parishad has given words that they, who are coming back into the Hindu fold from other religions, will be facilitated to opt any caste of their choices. After all it is whose authority to sanction caste identity for any one in the Hindu society. For the known records of history caste has been decided by birth. Change of caste of a person has not been listed, rather up gradation of status of whole caste is counted and accepted by all other members of Hindu society. Individuals are either in one caste by birth or simply they will be considered out of caste for any anomaly. This is the reason why those who are opting for inter-caste marriage, they are simply considered as out-caste. In the long run a new class comes up of these people who in longer terms gain an identity of particular caste also.
Secondly if somehow, those new comers are given caste of their choice, then Hindu society has to come up with a way for individuals to change their caste for getting caste status of their choice. Educated members of lower caste has tendency to gain Brahmanical status. In case of no other option, conversion and then ghar-wapasi will be the accepted norms to gain aspired choice of caste.
Why has Hindu society not evolved its caste structure? People have changed their professions, why they are not given single identity and that is Hindu. Let the economic world give them a new identity based on profession. The advocates of ghar wapasi should think about a unique identity of Hindu.
