Dejected RSS man seeks Christ

Lalsot (Rajasthan): The chief of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) KS Sudershan wants Hindus to have at least three children so the community remains in majority.

But a member from the parivar itself is set to cross the threshold.

RSS man Ganesh Chandra Bhattacharya has been a part of the Sangh Parivar for over three decades.

But this 41-year-old Sanskrit teacher from Lalsot in Rajasthan's Dausa district, says he's a disillusioned man.

He wants to convert to Christianity.

After over thirty years of what he calls dedicated service to the Sangh, Bhattacharya says he has had enough.

He says he's not only disillusioned with the organisation but also with the religion he was born into.

Not just him, his entire family wants to convert to Christianity.

He says that it was dejection, poverty and lack of support from the RSS that led him to take the decision.

About Sudarshan's suggestion on Hindu couples having at least three kids, Bhattacharya says he's barely been able to make ends meet for his two children; having three will be a nightmare.

"I'm not even able to take care of two children properly. There's no way I could have managed three," Bhattacharya says.

The family hopes that after converting to Christianity, the least they will get is better education and facilities for their children.

Mala Bhattacharya, his wife, says there's nothing they have ever got from being a Hindu.

"Diwali is the biggest Hindu festival. But we had nothing in our house that day. The kids felt so sad," Mala says.

Caught in a tight spot, the RSS says this is a one-off case and certainly not an indicator of any trend.

The local RSS workers say they will try their best to stop Bhattacharya from taking the extreme step.

"We'll talk to him, arouse his patriotism and we'll help him fight his problems. Everything will be fine.," Senior RSS activist Narsingh Bohra says.

But the family says it has made its decision.

They say they will soon do away with all saffron mementos from the house and convert to Christianity on January 1, 2006.

(with inputs from Mridu Bhandari)