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Sinnappah Arasaratnam was a Sri Lankan Tamil historian and academic.


 * http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?storyCode=157591&sectioncode=8
 * http://www.tamilnation.org/hundredtamils/arasaratnam.htm
 * http://www.island.lk/2009/05/10/features7.html
 * http://www.hindu.com/br/2006/09/26/stories/2006092600311500.htm
 * http://books.google.com/books?id=TeExjdWUmJYC&pg=PA190&dq=sinnappah#v=onepage&q=sinnappah&f=false

Conversion
Concepts of conversion, evangelization, and proselytization are found in some Hindu texts but do not play a prominent role in the Hindu canon. Early in its history, in the absence of other competing religions, Hindus considered everyone they came across as Hindus and expected everyone they met to be Hindus.

Hindus today continue to be influenced by historical ideas of acceptability of conversion. Hence, many Hindus continue to believe that Hinduism is an identity that can only be had from birth, while many others continue to believe that anyone who follows Hindu beliefs and practices is a Hindu, and many believe in some form of both theories. However, as a reaction to perceived and actual threat of evangelization, prozelyzation, and conversion activities of other major religions many modern Hindus are opposed to the idea of conversion from (any) one religion to (any) other per se.

With the rise of Hindu revivalist movements, conversions to Hinduism have risen, though records of conversion and proselytization to Hinduism have stretched back over 2,000 years. Reconversions are well accepted since conversion out of Hinduism is not recognized.

There is no formal process for converting to Hinduism, although in many traditions a ritual called dīkshā ("initiation") marks the beginning of spiritual life. A ritual called shuddhi ("purification") sometimes marks the return to spiritual life after reconversion. Most Hindu sects do not seek converts,  as they believe that the goals of spiritual life can be attained through any religion, as long as it is practiced sincerely. However, some Hindu sects and affiliates such as Arya Samaj, Saiva Siddhanta Church, BAPS, and the International Society for Krishna Consciousness accept those who have a desire to follow Hinduism.