The neo-converts to Christianity at Atiya village under Bodhgaya block virtually boycotted the 'ghar-wapasi' (homecoming) and 'shuddhikaran' (purification) programmes organised by Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal on Monday.

VHP district president Manik Lal Barik too admitted that not all residents of Atiya who have converted to Christianity participated in the programme.

At the same time, he claimed that members of 34 families participated in the purification programme. Efforts will continue to make sure remaining families for their return to Hinduism, he added.

Shiv Shankar Kumar, who admitted being converted to Christianity, said: 'We did not get due respect in the society. We are called by our caste with disrespect. Only at the time of elections, political parties remember us for vote.'

At least 42 families of the Mahadalit Tola of Atiya allegedly got converted to Christianity at a programme organised in the village on Christmas Day this year.

There are total 77 families in the village and rest of the 35 families have already got converted in 2008. There is a church also in the village where a school is also running.

After the reported conversion on December 25, the BJP MP from Gaya, Hari Manjhi, and Barik had visited the village. Manjhi had assured villagers to look into their grievances, including benefit of government-sponsored schemes.

Meanwhile, the 'shuddhikaran' and the 'ghar-wapasi' programmes started around 12 noon on Monday with sprinkling of gangajal (sacred Ganga water), offering tulsi mala to each of the participants and performing havan.

Five disciples of the Vedic school of Swami Ramacharya chanted shlokas during the havan. One tantrik and Swami Ratnesh from Sasaram were also present during the programme that continued for nearly one and a half hours.

The district administration had made elaborate security arrangements for Monday's programme. Sadar sub-divisional officer (SDO) Maqsood Alam and DSP (law and order) Satish Kumar were present in the village with heavy reinforcement to avoid any untoward incident.